Check us out Online! mayportmirror.com USS Taylor Changes Hands USS Taylor PAOCommand of the Mayport-based Guided Missile Frigate USS Taylor (FFG 50) changed hands on Thursday, Nov. 13 when Cmdr. Dennis J. Volpe relieved Cmdr. Jeremy R. Hill in front of the crew, friends and fam ily and some very special guests. USS Taylor was the proud host to the family its namesake, Jesse Junior Taylor. Twentythree Taylor family mem bers attended the change of command, including Jesse Jr. Taylors widow, Barbara Taylor. The last time Mrs. Taylor was on board was 28 years ago for Taylors commission ing ceremony. The family was able to participate in a ship tour and interacted with the Taylor crew. During the ceremo ny, Capt. Paul E. Flood, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 14, spoke on behalf of Cmdr. Hill and presented him with an end-of-tour award. Cyndi Hill, Cmdr. Hills wife, was also presented with a yel low rose o Volpe, was previ ously assigned as the executive officer of USS Taylor. A 1996 graduate of the Naval Academy, Volpe served aboard destroyers and cruisers throughout his career. His first tour of duty was aboard USS Spruance (DD 963) from January 1997 until November 2000, where he served as Communications Officer, Training Officer and First Lieutenant. In October 2004, he reported to USS Gettysburg (CG 64) and served as Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer until January 2008. His tours ashore include instructor duty at the United States Naval Academy as a member of the Leadership, Ethics, and Law Department, and a student at the Naval Command and Staff College at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He also served as a long-range operational planner at the ISAF Joint Command in Kabul, Afghanistan from July 2009 until July 2010. Volpe is a native of Long Island, New York and makes his home in Jacksonville, Florida. Hill has taken orders for the Executive Assistant to Commander 6th Fleet in Naples, Italy. -Photo by Paige GnannUSS Taylor new Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Dennis Volpe, right, holds a piece of cake baked by the ships culinary spe cialists to resemble the American flag when cut as outgoing Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Jeremy Hill, middle, reaches for a plate. NEX Gets Ready For HolidaysFrom NEXCOMThis holiday sea son, the NEX wants to make returning gifts as easy as possible. Since gifts may be purchased well before they are given during the holidays, all NEXs will accept returns through Jan. 31, 2013. This extended return policy applies to original purchases made Oct. 28 Dec. 24 either in a NEX or through the NEX web store, www.myNa vyExchange.com. Customers are asked to include any pack aging material along with the receipt when making a return. Any returns without a receipt will be placed on a NEX Gift Card. We know the holiday season can be hectic, said Michael Powers, Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) Director, Retail Operations. We want to give our NEX customers -Photo by MCC William TownsendCapt. Paul Flood, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 14, left, watches as Cmdr. Chris Follin, middle, relieves Cmdr. Leonard Milliken as commanding officer of USS Simpson during a pierside change of command ceremony on Nov. 16.New Captain For SimpsonFrom StaffCmdr. Chris Follin relieved Cmdr. Leonard H. Milliken as commanding officer of USS Simpson (FFG 56) dur ing a change of command ceremony held pierside in front of the ship on Nov. 16 at Naval Station Mayport. Guest speaker for the event was Capt. Paul Flood, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 14. Follin enlisted in the Navy in 1987 in the advanced electron ics field. He served five years onboard USS Birmingham (SSN 695) as a Electronics Technician Second Class and Navy Diver. While attached to the Chief of Naval Operations Special Project, Submarine Surveillance Equipment Program and ESM Certification team, he was selected for Admiral Boordas first Seaman to Admiral Program. After receiving his commission at Officer Candidate School and completing Surface Warfare Division Officer Course in 1996, he report ed to USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) where he served as the Main Propulsion Division officer and Strike Officer and earned the SURFPAC ship han dler of the year award. In June 1998, Commander Follin reported to Mine Countermeasures Rotational Crew Bravo embarked onboard USS Pioneer (MCM 9) as the Operations Officer deploying to the Arabian Gulf in USS Ardent (MCM 12). While attached to the Naval ROTC unit in Jacksonville, Florida from December 1999 to December 2002, he earned a Bachelor of Science in History and a Masters Degree in Business. Returning to Sea Duty for his Department Head tours, onboard USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), Follin served as Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer. Remaining on sea duty, Follin reported to Commander Strike Force Training Atlantic Navy At Its Best When ForwardDeployedAmerican Forces Press ServiceWith warfighting the central focus of the Navys mission, the Navy is best when it is out and about, Navy Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, chief of naval operations, said last week. Operating forward means using innovative ways to make sure the ships that we have are where we need them to be, the admiral said dur ing a speech at a National Press Club luncheon. Readiness to conduct forward operations requires more than just parts, maintenance and fuel, he added. It also means that we have competent and proficient crews that are ready to do the job, he said. For about 10 years, around half of the Navys ships have been forward-deployed in the AsiaPacific region, Greenert said. Half of those ships are home-ported there, he added. That forward-leaning posture helps to build international relationships and reassure U.S. allies, he said. Partnerships between the United States and Asia-Pacific nations are maturing and growing, Greenert said. For example, in Japan and South Korea, U.S. Navy operations personnel are collocated with their host nation counterparts, he said. In addition, a longstanding series of talks with the Chinese navy have been expanded to include flag officers, not just captains, Greenert said. We in the Department of Defense have now a deliberate strategy for engagement of the Chinese military, he said. See NEX, Page 12 See Taylor, Page 13 See Simpson, Page 11 See Deploy, Page 13Thanksgiving FeastAll are invited to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner prepared by Oasis Galley at 2 p.m. Beachside Community Center. Cos is $7.50 and is open to civilians, DoD, Contractors, friends and family.

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The Mirror The Mirror The Mirror Command Chaplain Lt. Cmdr. Jerome Cayangyang Roman Catholic Mass Sunday 9 a.m. Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m. Confessions: before & after mass or upon request CCD, RCIA & Adult Ed: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Baptisms 3rd Sunday of month 10:30 a.m. Catholic Youth Group 2nd & 4th Sunday 11:30 a.m-1 p.m. Protestant Worship Sunday 10:30 a.m. Sunday school 9:15 a.m. Choir: Wednesday 7 p.m. Baptism: For information contact your chaplain Womens Bible Study Wednesday 10 a.m. Protestant Youth Group 1st Friday Youth Quak Trip 6:30 p.m. 3rd Friday at Chapel 7-10:30 p.m. PWOC 2nd Saturday 9:30 a.m. PMOC 3rd Saturday Prayer Breakfast 9 a.m. MOPS 1st & 3rd Thursday, 9:30 a.m. For more information or other worship opportunities and religious organizations in Jacksonville, call 270-5212.Shipmates, A huge Mayport Bravo Zulu to every one involved in the preparation and exe cution of the Navy-Marine Corps Classic Basketball Game held on the decks of USS Bataan (LHD 5) Nov 9. Lonnie Kenney and the entire MWR staff, CWO4 Chuck Mogle and the Security team, CDR Miguel Dieguez leading the Public Works efforts, and CAPTs Cook, Fuller and LCDR Socias of SERMC who moved mountains to enable this national event to happen and happen safely. Special thanks to the men and women of USS Bataan who hosted the game, the City of Jacksonville for their efforts, and those who went out to the local schools during the Week of Valor telling their stories to students about life in the Navy. This event reaffirmed the Navys long-term partnership with the city of Jacksonville and the surround ing community and we are very proud that we were able to show Navy pride on a national level. Our Navy Public Affairs Center provided extensive photo coverage of the Navy and Marine Corps Classic, and many of those images are posted on the Navy Newsstand. Big thanks to those folks too for their photo and story coverage. I want to remind all of the First Class Petty Officers that the E7 advancement exam is just around the corner. I know that the CMC and the Chiefs Mess are doing good things with the CPO 365 program. Make sure to study and be pre pared. The exam will be administered Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013 at the Ocean Breeze Conference Center. The holidays are here and now more than ever we need to keep in mind safety when hitting the roads to see loved ones, preparing Thanksgiving meals and holiday decorations. Keep in mind all the resources we have on hand at our Fleet and Family Support Center and Navy and Marine Corps Relief. Counseling, financial help and advice for example, are just some of the areas that you can find help and assistance right here at building one. We have a full staff of experts standing by to assist you. There is no problem to big or small that we cannot tackle together. Also keep in mind that the Navys focus on sexual assault is still front and center and needs our daily attention. On aver age two of our shipmates are sexual ly assaulted daily throughout the fleet. One is too many. Take advantage of all the resources we have and sound off if, you or someone else has been sexually assaulted in any way, shape or form. The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) hotline number is 563-1254. Tomorrow please come celebrate Thanksgiving with a full blown feast at our Beachside Community Center. Our award winning galley staff has worked very hard to prepare for those that wont be able to be with family this year, and the meal will be served at 1400 and end at 1630. The price is $7.50 and all are invited; civilians, DoD, Contractors, friends and family. Thanks to each of you for bringing your hard work and professionalism each day through our gates. It never goes unnoticed. Be safe and keep sending those suggestions to the COs suggestion box or email them at douglas.cochrane@ navy.mil.Capt. Doug Cochrane CAPTAINSFor students anticipat ing graduation in June 2013, Saturday, December 1st marks the first day they can go online to complete the application for the Bright Futures Scholarships and other state loans and grants. Go to www. FloridaStudentFinancialAid. org, select State Grants, Scholarships & Applications and then select Apply Here. The completion of the Initial Student Florida Financial Aid Application gives the Florida Department of Education per mission to evaluate the stu dents high school transcript and test scores for eligibility for state scholarships and grants. General eligibility require ments include the following: U.S. citizen or eligible non-cit izen. degree at an eligible Florida postsecondary institution. funds within TWO years of high school graduation (Unless enlist directly in the military after high school graduation. Then the TWO-year period begins upon date of separation from active duty.). The requirement is a change to the eligibility requirements which previous ly allowed three years for rein statement! or have pled not contest to a fel ony charge. non-remedial semester credit hours. error-free Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is anoth er change to the eligibility requirements. The online Florida Financial Aid Application is a self-report ed document. The student can use his transcript from last June at the end of his junior year to complete the application. All information will be verified when the district uploads his first semester grades and cours es in January of 2013. However, families sometimes need addi tional help when completing a FAFSA for the first time. Last years change requir ing the submission of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) now includes the word error-free. Florida has now joined several states and many school financial aid programs which require the FAFSA. However, completion of the FAFSA for Bright Futures does not determine whether a stu dent receives the Bright Futures Scholarship. It DOES deter mine if the student will receive the money for the scholarship. Without this document on file, no Bright Futures money will be sent to the student. To get help with the ins and outs of completing the FAFSA, plan to attend the Parent Program on Financial Aid, scheduled for Jan. 24 at the USO on Mayport Road from 6 p.m. 8 p.m. The speaker Clarence Richardson is a retired US Navy Lt. Commander and enroll ment specialist for FSCJ. He is the area expert on all aspects of financial aid. Andrea Reese, Military OneSource consultant, will present the military side of financial aid, and I will provide additional information on the available State of Florida loans, grants, and scholarships especially Bright Futures. In the meantime, go online to www. FloridaStudentFinancialAid. org for additional informa tion on the Bright Futures Application. Some SAT/ACT score requirements increased for students graduating this year. Community service requirements increased for all three Bright Futures award levels. Learn how to create a PIN (Personal Identification Number) online. The State no longer sends acceptance letters by mail. Students MUST moni tor their award status online. In past years, students went to www.flvs.org to check their Bright Futures GPA. This infor mation is now found on www. flvc.org. This website, Florida Virtual Campus for Students, is Floridas official online onestop-shop in transitioning students from middle school through college. AND IT IS THE ONLY PLACE STUDENTS AND PARENTS CAN CHECK THE STUDENTS BRIGHT FUTURES GPA!!! It is not the GPA on the report card nor is it found on the transcript. You must go to www.flvc.org to find this important information. Funding for the scholar ship does not begin until the fall term following high school graduation. Scholarship recipients are not eligible for funding during the sum mer term immediately follow ing high school graduation. The academic year begins in the fall and ends in the sum mer. By going online to www. FloridaStudentFinancialAid. org, you can check on the cur rent year award amounts for each of the three Bright Futures Scholarships. Judy Cromartie is the School Liaison Officer for NS Mayport. If you have questions about this article or concerns about an educational issue impacting your child, she can be reached via email at judith.cromartie@ navy.mil or by phone at (904) 270-6289 X1305 [office] or (904) 219-3894 [cell]. Or you can schedule a meeting with her in her office in Building One.Fla Bright Futures Online Application OpenJudy Cromartie School Liaison Officer KnowingSecond Harvest Empty Bowls Full Of Hope ATGThanksgiving is around the corner and as we prepare to arrange a feast for our families, we recall those in need. Jacksonville kicked off the season of giving at the 28th annual Empty Bowls Luncheon on Nov. 13 to benefit North Floridas Second Harvest. Hundreds gathered downtown at the Prime Osborn Convention Center to pledge to end hunger in North Florida. This event reminds us that the hunger is not continents away often it is right down the street. One in six Northern Floridians and one in four children are food insecure, meaning that they do not have regular access to nutritious food. Second Harvest Food Bank, the events host, serves 17 counties and 400 agencies locally. This year Second Harvest has already disturbed 24 mil lion pounds of food. The Empty Bowls Luncheon is truly an event. First, you select your own personal bowl from tables full of donat ed unique bowls handpainted by local children, seniors and artists. Once you have found a bowl to call your own, you are served a simple meal of soup and a roll. Looking at the meager meal, you know you will still be hun gry after its consumption and you realize what so many face every day. Celebrity hosts and live music help us focus on the most important part of this event: hope. Second Harvest can turn just one dollar into seven meals that impact men, women and children right here in Jacksonville. The luncheon makes you feel empowered and prepares you for your season of giv ing.-Photo submittedBowls are set out at the Empty Bowls Luncheon event sponsored by Second Harvest. The fundraising event helps feed families throughout North Florida. Holiday Hours For CommissaryMayport Commissary will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 22. The Commissary will also be open on Monday, Dec. 24 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and closed on Tuesday, Dec. 25. What does HOPE look like? Hope looks like Mary Tyler Moore, International Chairman, JDRFShe has type 1 diabetes, and her hope for better treatments and a cure lies in the progress of research. To learn more, call 800.533.CURE or visit jdrf.org. A CFC participant. Provided as a public service. 2 THE MIRROR NS MAYPORT, Thursday, November 22, 2012

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In Proverbs 22:6, the Bible states, Start chil dren off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it. The premise of this parental imperative is framed in the histori cal context of what the Hebrews knew as the Shema. The Shema is an affir mation of Judaism and a declaration of faith in one God. Thus, the first stan za of this avowal reads, Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one (Deuteronomy 6:4, NIV). Verses 5-9 of this passage offer the remaining con tents of the Shema. The obligation to recite the Shema is separate from the obligation to pray and a Jew is obli gated to say Shema in the morning and at night (Deut. 6:7). As you can see, the imparting of spirituality was a serious mat ter. Along with the spiritual and natural development of children, parents also have a responsibility to ensure they prepare their children for academic success. During a recent research venture, I came across some data that deserves our attention. Those of us who have treaded the sacred grounds of parenthood and have children past the threshold of their genesis years can now only wish we possessed the wisdom of our cur rent years. Those of you who have children who have not yet reached such a threshold should take heed and consider what I am about to share. In a report titled Early Warning! Why read ing by the end of third grade matters, the Annie E. Casey Foundation research department concluded that as children progress through school, their failure to meet cer tain milestones is highly predictive of later drop out. Parents and educators should be particularly vigilant regarding each childs academic perfor mance. Recognizing the warning signs promptly is crucial to early and effec tive intervention. By the third grade, it is very important for children to have mas tered how to read since it underpins future learn ing in the upper elemen tary grades where more complex reading skills are required. They should have transitioned from learning to read to reading to learn. What is the point? Make your children read more start young; carve out time daily and make them stick to it. Anything we do for 21 days straight will become a habit. They may hate you now for making them do the uncomfortable, but they will love you later. My third and fourth grade teachers told my mother I could not read. They were correct. My mother acknowledged their findings, but she would not allow them to label me. As you can imagine my summers and weekends were not fun, but they taught me how to do what I did not want to do. If you have fallen off the horse concerning this issue, you can get back on. Do not allow anyone to label your children, and press hard on this read ing issue. Although this research only speaks to a single aspect of a childs educational development, it is nonetheless a very important one. Perhaps, a good Bible Story book might be a good place to begin. Children love sto ries and it is also a means for introducing God into their lives.Investing Wisely In Your Kids Pays DividendsChap Calvin Gardner Sr. Surface Force Ministry Center CHAPLAINS Medical ClosedBranch Health Clinic Mayport will be closed for Thanksgiving Holiday, Nov. 22-25 THE MIRROR NS MAYPORT, Thursday, November 22, 2012 3

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4 THE MIRROR NS MAYPORT, Thursday, November 22, 2012 Jacksonville Comes Out To Honor VeteransMCPON Zeroes In On Excellence At Mayport Office of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the NavyMaster Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(AW/NAC) Mike D. Stevens visited Naval Station Mayport, Fla., Nov. 8-10, to dis cuss his Zeroing in on Excellence initiative. MCPON met with area chiefs to discuss his ini tiative that he released in four letters to the Chiefs Mess Nov. 6, and used this trip as his first opportu nity to assess communi cation success. If you have seen, read or heard of the initia tive that I recently sent out called Zeroing in on Excellence raise your hand, said Stevens. Three quarters of the approximately 150 chief petty officers raised their hand. MCPON discussed the basics of the idea behind the initiative and the three focus areas of: developing leaders, good order and discipline, and controlling what we own. What the Zeroing in on Excellence initiative provides you is the frame work within which you can work, said Stevens. Its my charge to every chief petty officer in the Navy to look at it, espe cially the leaders within the mess, and ask them selves, What is it we can do to support this and sustain it? Im not inter ested in a flash in the pan, here-now-gone-tomor row effort. MCPON explained that if a leader is ineffective, then the command is ineffective. MCPON also visited commands and Sailors throughout the base including USS Philippine Sea (CG 58). While there, a Sailor asked MCPON for advice on becoming MCPON. I have been in the Navy for 30 years, said Stevens. After all that time, here is what I can tell you about being suc cessful; work hard, stay out of trouble and be a good and decent person. If you do those things, you will be a success in any thing that you do. While visiting USS De Wert (FFG 45), MCPON met with the Chiefs Mess and to discuss his initia tive and and team cohe sion. Im asking you, as chief petty officers, to be strategically smart, said Stevens. Recognize where the world is at, where our economy is at, to recognize where the Navy is at and where we are going. You have to be smart. Think about the things you personally own in your organization that will ultimately impact those strategic decisions when we come together collectively as a Chiefs Mess. Fleet engagements are intended to provide senior leadership with a frontline assessment of Sailors and what they are doing in the fleet. -Photo by MC2 Thomas L. RosprimMaster Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Michael D. Stevens speaks to area command master chiefs and senior enlisted leaders at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. MCPON spoke about his 'Zeroing in on Excellence' initiative and answered questions. -Photo by MC2 Thomas L. RosprimMaster Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Michael D. Stevens speaks with Sailors aboard the guided-missile frigate USS De Wert (FFG 45) at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. -Photo by MC2 Thomas L. RosprimStevens speaks with Seaman Joe Bridge while visiting the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) at NS Mayport. Local spectators show their spirit and pride for the military during the city of Jacksonville Veterans Day Parade. -Photos by MCSN Damian BergNavy ROTC cadets from Jacksonville University march in the Jacksonvilles Veterans Day Parade. The parade was an end to the city's Week of Valor tribute, honoring veter ans, military members and their families. Veterans and spectators salute during the Pledge of Allegiance during the City of Jacksonvilles Veterans Day Parade. Naval Station Mayport Commanding Officer, Capt. Doug Cochrane, waves at the crowds of people enjoying the citys Veterans Day Parade.

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THE MIRROR NS MAYPORT, Thursday, November 22, 2012 5 On Your Marks, Get Set Diaper Dash Navy Public Affairs Support Ele ment East, Detachment SoutheastThirty expectant moms, who are active duty or whose spouses are deployed, were show ered with recognition and gifts during the Greater Jacksonville USO third annual Military Moms Diaper Dash Nov. 14. Winn-Dixie and Chevrolet sponsored the event and marks the third time the Diaper Dash was held in Jacksonville for military moms-tobe from Naval Station Mayport and surrounding installations. This is a day to cel ebrate expecting mili tary mothers and we are going to give them an opportunity to come to our center today, said John Shockley, executive director of the Greater Jacksonville USO. The moms to be will be escort ed around in Chevrolet a vehicles to three different Winn-Dixies to gather up goodies for their expect ing newborns here in the near future. Diaper Dash was cre ated specifically because typically military moms are the ones who hold it all together at home, said Shockley. Without their spouses by their side, deployed to another part of the world, these moms deserve our support, our thanks, our love and an opportunity to celebrate together. Diaper Dash allowed the pregnant ladies to test drive new family-friend ly Chevrolets, while they dashed around town to three different WinnDixies, picking up shop ping bags full of goodies along the way. The crew headed back to the Mayport USO to enjoy lunch and door prizes. The ladies also received a crash course on how to properly install a car seat from Lesley Seator a representative from Safe kids northeast Florida. Its imperative that these women get proper training on how to install a car seat properly, said Seator. Safe Kids Northeast Florida wants to help the men and women that keep us safe keep their children safe. The expectant moth ers also had the oppor tunity to meet Jaxon, the Jacksonville Jaguars mas cot, who showed up and helped pass out the gift baskets. It was awesome to have Jaxon come and help out and entertain us mili tary moms, said Masterat-Arms 3rd Class Sharon Berg, a participant in the Diaper Dash. Each mom received an array of unique, highquality products and gift items for mothers and babies that have been donated by Winn Dixie and Chevrolet. From onesies to dia pers, diaper bags and for mula, the gifts will go a long way toward raising the spirits of the momsto-be, many of whom would not otherwise have the opportunity to experience a baby shower. -Photo by MCSN Damian Berg Jaxon deVille hands a goodie bags filled with diapers, formula, wipes and other prod ucts for a newborn baby to Ashley Fanning wife of Seaman Johnathon Fanning, USS Gettysburg (CG 64), during the Greater Jacksonville Area USO Military Mom Diaper Dash. Jaxon deVille, the mascot for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the expecting mothers pose for a group photo dur ing the Greater Jacksonville Area USO Military Mom Diaper Dash. The diaper dash was held by the USO to help expecting mothers receive some of the essential items they will need for their newborn children.-Photo by MCSN Damian Berg Christy Jackson Whigham, wife of Lt. j.g. Brandon Whigham USS Taylor (FFG 50), grabs a Diaper Dash onesie during the Greater Jacksonville Area USO Military Mom Diaper Dash. Lesley Seator, representative of Safe Kids Northeast Florida, explains how to properly set up a car seat during the Greater Jacksonville Area USO Military Mom Diaper Dash. The diaper dash was held by the USO to help expecting mothers receive some of the essential items they will need for their newborn children.K9S For Warriors K9sforwarriors is locat ed in Ponte Vedra Beach and they specifically offer service dogs for warriors medically diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress. If you or someone you know would greatly ben efit from having a canine companion, please visit www.k9sforwarriors.org for more information. Smiles Over Miles Smiles Over Miles gives all active duty mili tary service members the opportunity to send video messages back home for free, easily from any computer with an inter net connection and web cam. The technology also comes with built in secu rity, so messages are kept private and delivered via secure transmission. Signup now via the following link: http://smilesover miles.com Special For Military Hunting And Fishing License Active-duty and retired military Florida residents can get a low cost ($20) Military Gold Sportsmans License. The license cov ers hunting, freshwater and saltwater fishing and a variety of associ ated permits at a greatly reduced cost. The Military Gold Sportsmans License is available at tax col lectors offices only. Applicants must present a current military ID card plus a Florida drivers license or orders show ing they are stationed in Florida as proof of eli gibility. Military Gold Sportsmans License (includes same privileg es as Gold Sportsmans License, Listed Below) Available to Florida resi dents who are active or retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces, Armed Forces Reserve, Florida National Guard, Coast Guard or Coast Guard Reserve; upon submis sion of a current military identification card and proof of Florida resi dency. Gold Sportsmans License includes Hunting, Saltwater Fishing and Freshwater Fishing licens es; and Deer, Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Crossbow, Turkey and Florida Waterfowl, Snook and Lobster per mits. Recycling Recycling has come to the Greater Jacksonville Area USO. If you have any office paper, shred ded paper, old magazines, and newspapers that you would like to donate, please bring it to either the Mayport or NAS JAX USO Center. This will be a great fundraiser for the USO so please help us fill the bins. Help support the troops with your unwant ed paper! Honorably discharged veterans, active-duty service and reserve members will receive a 25 percent discount on the purchase of a Florida State Park annual pass. The discount provides a savings of $15 on an indi vidual annual pass and $30 on a family annual pass, which allows up to eight people in a group to access most of Floridas 160 state parks. In addi tion, honorably dis charged veterans who have service connected disabilities, and surviv ing spouses of military veterans who have fallen in combat, will receive a lifetime family annual entrance pass at no charge. For information on qualifications and nec essary forms to receive these discounts, visit www.FloridaStateParks. org/ United Through Reading program makes it possible to share in the enjoyment of reading to the children in your life, even while thousands of miles apart. The Mayport Center and NAS Center can record you reading a book to your children and send it to them after you have gone on deploy ment. It is a great way to make them smile on their special day even when you can not be there with them. Please contact your local USO center for more information. There is a computer resource center avail able to all service mem bers with email, Internet and word processing. Fax, copy and free notary ser vice is also available. Watch TV or a movie from the video library Service members can also enjoy video games or use the sports equipment. There is a full kitchen, showers, a quiet reading room and a meeting room available at the USO. The USO is available for meet ings, support groups, receptions, parties and pre-deployment briefs. A TV, VCR and overhead projector are available for use. For more information about activities or meet ing availabilities, call 2463481 or stop by the center at 2560 Mayport Road. USO

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FFSC Workshop, Class Schedule SetFrom FFSCThe following class es and activities are offered by the Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) and are free of charge. Pre-registration is required and childcare is not available. For more information about the classes or to register call 270-6600, ext. 1701. FFSC is located in Building One on Massey. Nov. 21, 9 a.m.-noon, Employment Seminar FFSC Room 607 Nov. 22, 9 a.m.-noon, Tottle Tyme Playgroup USO USO Parents and chil dren together meet to share parenting concerns, ideas, and fun! The group invites professionals to address specific areas of concern such as nutrition, toilet training, etc. We even take field trips sev eral times a year to local parks, museums and play grounds. This group is designed for moms new to the area or moms who want their child to inter act with other children their childs age. All chil dren age four and below are invited to attend. Nov. 26-29, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., TAP Separatee Workshop Building 1 Room 1616 Designed for Military personnel within 90-180 days of leaving the mili tary. The seminar focus es on benefits for service members and their fam ily members. Participants receive help in translat ing their military acquired skills into civilian lan guage and are exposed to the civilian job mar ket and how to success fully compete in the civilian employment arena; learning about resumes, employment interviews and marketing them selves. If you are within a minimum of 180 days of leaving the military see your career counselor for a quota for this highly successful program. Nov. 27, 9-11 a .m., Active Parenting FFSC Room 702 Nov. 27, 6-8 p.m., Ombudsman Assembly Building 1 Room 104 Nov. 28, 9 a.m.-noon, Employment Seminar FFSC Room 607 Nov. 28, 3-4:30 p.m., Managing Anger Group FFSC Room 702 Nov. 29, 9 a.m.-noon, Tottle Tyme Playgroup USO USO Parents and chil dren together meet to share parenting concerns, ideas, and fun! The group invites professionals to address specific areas of concern such as nutrition, toilet training, etc. We even take field trips sev eral times a year to local parks, museums and play grounds. This group is designed for moms new to the area or moms who want their child to inter act with other children their childs age. All chil dren age four and below are invited to attend. Saturday, Nov. 24 Find out from a park ranger at 2 p.m what a gopher is, where they live and why they are so important. This pro gram will take place at the Ribault Club on Fort George Island Cultural State Park. No reserva tions are necessary and the program is free. The Jacksonville Light Parade will be held at 7 p.m. The event will be held in partnership with private organizations and local supporters, similar to the 2011 event. The City of Jacksonville invites boat captains and crews to register for the 2012 Jacksonville Light Parade. Registration is free; however, it is limited to the first 100 vessels. Boaters interested in participating can visit the website www. makeascenedowntown. com for registration information. Wednesday, Nov. 28 The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is hosting an evening of art, live music and historical insight from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to celebrate the Lois Mailou Jones: A Life in Vibrant Color exhibition. Enjoy a lecture examining Jacksonvilles artistic ties to the Harlem Renaissance. Join Director Hope McMath and Chief Curator Holly Keris as they discuss Floridas little known connection to the Harlem Renaissance through James Weldon Johnson, Augusta Savage and other nationally-known artists of the period. The lecture will be followed by cocktails and live jazz by The Dixie/Swing Quintet, featuring vocalist Lisa Kelly and trumpeter JB Scott. Cost is members, $25 and non-members, $35. To purchase tickets or for more information, please call (904) 8996004 or visithttp://www. cummer.org/programsevents/calendar-ofevents/jazz-jacksonvilleharlem-renaissance Tuesday, Dec. 4 The Police Athletic League of Jacksonville, Inc. (PAL) is hosting the eighth annual I Shot With The Sheriff Charity Fun Shoot at the Jacksonville Gun Club, 12125 New Berlin Rd. PAL is seeking supporting shooters to form five-member teams to participate in the shooting tournament event. The competition format consists of 110 targets with skeet, trap and a five-stand flurry. Team entries are $1,000 each. Sponsors will also enjoy a post-tournament reception that includes light refreshment and an award ceremony. Registration and lunch begin at 11 a.m. and the tournament starts at 1 p.m. Proceeds of this event will go to support PALs nationally accredited afterschool, sports, mentoring and summer camp programs provided to more than 2,800 at-risk children throughout the community with the help of Jacksonville police officers. For more information on the Sheriffs Shoot, please contact Robbie Frietas at 251-5934 or rfreitas@ fop530.com or visit www. jaxpal.com. Friday, Dec. 7 Mayor Alvin Brown invites residents to attend the inaugural Holiday at St. James celebration. The event will feature a craft bazaar from 11 a.m.-3 p.m in Hemming Plaza, carolers, crafts for kids, an evening open house at City Hall,117 West Duval St., and will culminate with a lighting of the St. James Holiday tree in Hemming Plaza from 4:30-7 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to come and experience St. James for the holidays. Event is free and open to the public. Vendor opportunities are available. Call (904) 630-3690 for application information. Out in Town COMMUNITYCALENDAR 6 THE MIRROR NS MAYPORT, Thursday, November 22, 2012

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Planning For Partnership-Photo by Lt. Cmdr. Corey Barker Commander U.S. 4th Fleet, Rear Adm. Sinclair M. Harris welcomes military and civilian planners to the opening of the Southern Partnership Station planning conference. The high speed vessel SWIFT (HSV-2) will again be the flagship for the annual deployment to the 4th Fleet operating area. Military Sealift Commands First Mobile Landing Platform Ship Floated From Dry DockMilitary Sealift Command Pacific Public AffairsMilitary Sealift Commands first Mobile Landing Platform ship completed its first float out opera tion at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego Nov. 13. Designated T-MLP-1, the ship will be named USNS Montford Point, honoring African American Marine Corps recruits who trained at Camp Montford Point, N.C, from 1942 to 1949. The first of three MLPs planned for construction at NASSCO, Montford Point is scheduled to be christened in March 2013 and delivered to MSC in May 2013. This ship, and the oth ers in its class, will be imperative to MSCs role in supporting Navy and Marine Corps warfight ers worldwide, said Rear Admiral Mark Buzby, commander, Military Sealift Command. It was exciting to wit ness this important mile stone getting MLP 1 into her element today brings us one step closer to being mission-ready in 2013, he said. The MLP is a new class of auxiliary support ship, scheduled to join MSCs Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF). These ships will be the centerpiece of the Navys Sea Base concept, and will serve as a transfer point for Marine Corps amphibious land ing forces between large ships and small landing craft. They will provide the capability to transfer vehicles and equipment at-sea, improving the U.S. militarys ability to deliv er equipment and cargo from ship to shore when land bases do not exist. The MLP class of ships will fill a critical role in enabling U.S. forc es to be delivered safely and effectively around the world using mobile, sea-based strategies in areas where secure har bor facilities ashore are not readily available, said Tim McCully, depu ty commander, Military Sealift Command Pacific. By remaining at sea as floating logistics support bases, these ships enhance the indepen dence of U.S. forces to operate near global hot spots without entering their ports, he said. Unlike the traditional ship launch, the pro cess for un-docking the 784-foot-long MLP is a slow, methodical and technical evolution. The launch consists of slow ly flooding the building dock, stopping the flood ing, balancing the ship, inspecting the ship, and then balancing it again before continuing the flooding. The sequence is repeated several times until the ship is level to the water outside the dry dock, then completed by pulling the ship from the building dock and moving it pier side with tug boats. MSC operates approxi mately 110 non-combat ant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners. -Navy photo illustration courtesy of NASSCOAn artist concept of a mobile landing platform (MLP) ship under construction at the General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) shipyard in San Diego, Calif. MLP-1 will be the firstof-class ship, delivering a flexible platform to support Maritime Prepositioning Ship squadrons. DOD Issues Request For New Mobility Applications, DevicesAmerican Forces Press ServiceService members could be downloading appli cations for government BlackBerrys, iPhones, Androids and other mobility devices by the beginning of next year, said Air Force Maj. Gen. Robert E. Wheeler, the deputy chief information officer for the department. The goal, he said, is to have the military app store set up by early 2013. It all depends on if we get a good bid, Wheeler explained in an interview. The request for procure ment closes out at the end of the year, and it should not take long to put the store in play once the decision is made, he added. Wheeler said the needs of the department are at the core of the request. Were looking at things from a three-bin per spective, he added. The first bin, he said, contains mobility devices that dont need to con nect with a DOD official or classified network. These include devices used for training, com munications in an unclas sified nonsecure realm, research and so on, he said. He said the second bin holds those devices that are connected to the secure but unclassified network. Today, these are mainly BlackBerrys, Wheeler said, but there are pilot programs incor porating Androids, iPhones and tablets in this bin. The third group con nects with the classified network, he said. The departments future app store will feature applications appropriate for each bin, the general said, and he expects the security per formance of these items will change to encompass DODs strict needs. DOD personnel use 271,000 BlackBerrys alone, he noted, and Research In Motion the Canadian company that developed BlackBerrys has a secu rity protocol the depart ment approves. We hope other com panies develop this, Wheeler said. Overall, he said, the larger issue is as we move forward with technology, were trying to make sure we are making it less cost ly to DOD, were trying to make it more secure and were trying to jump the productivity curve here. Jumping the curve is key for the department and to do that, Wheeler said, the department needs to get these devic es into the hands of the young men and women to whom they are sec ond nature. The so-called digital generation is developing new uses for these devices every day, the general noted, and this has bridged into the tactical world, as well. These devices have uses far beyond just talking to each other and e-mail, he said. The department is basically going for diver sity in our products, and that goes back to trying to get the best price for the government and finding the most secure device, he said. So we will have a family of options that dont favor any one device. Registration Open For Joint Womens Leadership SymposiumFrom SSLAThe Sea Service Leadership Association (SSLA) opened reg istration for its 26th annual Joint Womens Leadership Symposium, the larg est gathering of military women in the nation. Women from each of the five service branch es are invited to regis ter. The two-day sym posium will be held March 10-12, 2013, at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. Attendees may register at www. sealeader.org. With the theme, Stronger Self, Stronger Service, the sympo sium will provide par ticipating servicewom en with tools for both their personal and pro fessional lives, to make them better leaders. The symposium will feature a robust agen da on a variety of top ics such as Bystanders Intervention, Combating Sexual Assault, Improving Communication Skills, and an Executive Female Flag Session. Established in 1978, SSLA is the only nonprofit, non-political organization recog nized by the United States Sea Services dedicated to providing professional develop ment through network ing, education, and mentorship of women from the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. 8 THE MIRROR NS MAYPORT, Thursday, November 22, 2012

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Navy To Track ITEMPO ReportingFrom Navy Personnel Command Public AffairsThe Navy has reestab lished a formal Individual Personnel Tempo (ITEMPO) Program Management Office to administer the program, train commands and provide assistance to the Fleet with compliance, according to a message released, Nov. 9. The term ITEMPO means the amount of time Sailors are engaged in their official duties at a location or under circumstances that make it infeasible for them to spend off-duty time in their resi dence. These absences are defined in ITEMPO as deployment events and non-deployment events. Individual units are responsible for report ing data to the ITEMPO reporting system. As deployment lengths and schedules change based on world events, the impact to Sailors and families is of paramount interest to Navy lead ership, said Mark Gill, ITEMPO program man ager, Navy Personnel Command (NPC). ITEMPO is the central ized tool to track this information so reporting compliance is essential. According to NAVADMIN 335/12, commands must track all deployment events in ITEMPO. Deployment events are defined as operations, exercise, unit training, home station training and mission sup port temporary duty. An ITEMPO User Guide is available at http://www. public.navy.mil/bupersnpc/support/itempo/ pages/default.aspx. The Navy waived the requirement to track nondeployment ITEMPO events in the ITEMPO System. ITEMPO nondeployment events include TAD to schools, hospitalizations within the local permanent duty station and brig prisoners. All Navy commands and activities are required to report ITEMPO deployment events using the ITEMPO system via BUPERS Online (BOL) at www.bol.navy.mil. Commanding officers, or the command ITEMPO representatives, can also log on to BOL under the NavPers Legacy & ITEMPO page and review the user guide for instruc tions on how to document ITEMPO. The ITEMPO Program Management office is available to provide train ing, advice and assis tance to the fleet regard ing ITEMPO policies and procedures. They can also provide system access and feature a help desk to support the Fleet. According to the mes sage, NPC plans to issue ITEMPO reporting com pliance scorecards to budget submitting offices each month to track com pliance. For more information and a complete list of ITEMPO points of contact read NAVADMIN 335/12 or contact the ITEMPO System Help Desk at help desk@persnet.navy.mil.Hu City Drills Keeps Crew Prepared Information Systems Technician Seaman Erika Bortree, Ship's Serviceman Seaman Apprentice Corey Gabbard and Yeoman 3rd Class Michael Kirkman practice applying a splint during a medical training team drill aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66). -Photo by MCSN Darien G. Kenney 10 THE MIRROR NS MAYPORT, Thursday, November 22, 2012

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Mayport Celebrates Native American, Alaska Native Heritage Month -Photo by Katie CallawayAlaskan native,Yeoman 1st Class Eileen Nelson of U.S Coast Guard, talk about her Aleut heritage and growing up in a small community of 35 people.from October 2006 to September 2008 as the Assistant Maritime Operations Officer responsible for design ing maritime composite unit training exercises for Carrier and Expeditionary Strike Group certifica tions. His most recent shore assignment was to U.S. Joint Forces Command, Joint War fighting Center, responsible for enabling the creation of invalu able Joint Training solu tions that supported all Uniformed Services, Combatant Commands, Multi-National Partners, and U.S. Inter-agency and Non-governmental agen cies. Follin is slated to report as Executive Officer aboard the USS SIMPSON (FFG 56) in April of 2011 under the XO/CO fleet up program. Milliken is a native of Pasadena, Maryland and is a 1995 gradu ate of the United States Naval Academy where he earned a Bachelors of Science in Political Science. Upon graduation, he attended Surface Warfare Officer Division Officer Course in Newport, RI. His first ship was the USS Nicholas (FFG 47) in Norfolk, Va. While assigned to Nicholas he served as the Main Propulsion Assistant. His second Division Officer tour was USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in Newport News, VA where he served as the Electrical Officer. Following his Division Officer tours he trans ferred to the Naval Safety Center, Norfolk Va., where he was a member of the Safety Survey team and taught Operational Risk Management Fleet wide. His first Department Head tour was onboard USS Elrod (FFG 55) in Norfolk, Va. While assigned to Elrod he served as the Chief Engineer until his trans fer to USS Normandy (CG 60) in Norfolk, VA where he also served as Chief Engineer. After com pleting his Department Head Tours, Commander Milliken transferred to the Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, R.I. Following the NWC, he transferred to a Joint position inside the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), in Washington, D.C. He served 18 months as executive officer of USS Simpson (FFG 56) before assuming command in May 2010.From Page 1Simpson -Photo by Paige GnannVickie Franco, a descendent of Mescalero Apache and Hopi Native American, speaks at the NS Mayport Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month celebration at the Base Chapel on Nov. 15. THE MIRROR NS MAYPORT, Thursday, November 22, 2012 11

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enough time to enjoy the holidays with their friends and families and still have time to return any gift purchases. One gift that wont be returned is the NEX Gift Card. It can be used just like cash for most mer chandise and service purchases, make lay away payments or place special orders. NEX Gift Cards have no fees and dont expire. NEX Gift Cards can be purchased in varying amounts from $5 at any NEX by both exchange-authorized and non-authorized custom ers. Become a Facebook fan and follow the NEX on Twitter. NEX Bonus Bucks Are BackFrom NEXCOMBonus Bucks are back at NEX Mayport this holiday season. On Dec. 8, from 8 a.m. 1 p.m., custom ers will receive one $10 Bonus Bucks coupon for each $100 of merchan dise/service purchased, while coupon supplies last. A maximum of five Bonus Bucks will be issued to customers per single transaction. NEX customers have responded very posi tively to this promotion since we started it three years ago, so were bring ing it back again this year, said Mike Powers, Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) Director Retail Operations. We know there are many places our customers can shop dur ing the holiday season. NEX Bonus Bucks are our way of thanking custom ers for shopping at their NEX and to encourage them to come back for extra savings. NEX Bonus Bucks will be redeemable in any NEX from December 26, 2012 January 1, 2013, on all merchandise and services except uniforms, gasoline, tobacco, alco hol, NEX and third party Gift Cards and concession merchandise. Purchases made on the All Services Catalog or myNavy Exchange.com do not apply. One coupon will be redeemable on a trans action of $50 or more. A maximum of five coupons can be used on a transac tion of $250 or more. NEX Bonus Bucks are available to customers shopping at NEX Norfolk, Oceana, Portsmouth and Little Creek, Va.; NEX Bethesda, Annapolis and Patuxent River, Md.; NEX Mitchel Field, N. Y.; NEX Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; NEX San Diego, Lemoore, North Island, Monterey and Port Hueneme, Calif.; NEX Great Lakes, Ill.; NEX Memphis, Tenn.; NEX Mayport, Orlando, Pensacola, Key West, Whiting Field and Jacksonville, Fla.; NEX Kings Bay, Ga.; NEX New London, Conn.; NEX Newport, R.I.; NEX Gulfport and Meridian, Miss.; NEX Corpus Christi, Texas; NEX New Orleans, La.; NEX Charleston, S. C.; NEX Fallon, Nev.; NEX Whidbey Island, Bremerton, Everett and Bangor, Wash.; and NEX Guam.Shoplifting Can Cost You A LotFrom NEXCOMThe prevention and detection of theft at NEX locations throughout the world is serious business. During 2011, NEX Loss Prevention/Safety asso ciates investigated and resolved 1,320 shoplifting cases with a total dollar amount of $258,032. Of those 1,320 cases, 31 per cent were juveniles and 19 percent were active duty military. The 2011 National Retail Security Survey, conducted by the University of Florida in conjunction with Americas top retail chains indicates for a second year in a row, stealing by shoppers cost American retailers a staggering $10.94 billion. Our customers and associates continue to play a vital role in pre venting theft from our stores, said Tom Ruane, NEXCOMs Corporate Loss Prevention/Safety Manager. We encourage anyone to report suspi cions of theft activity to NEX management, loss prevention/safety person nel or for our associates, through the anonymous Alertline program. The top five depart ments for shoplifting at the NEX in 2011 were cos tume jewelry, mass cos metics, prestige cosmet ics, video games and fashion accessories. While the NEX con tinues to be proactive in apprehending shoplift ers, NEX Loss Prevention/ Safety associates work hard at preventing theft before it happens. NEXs worldwide use electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems for electronic and high value merchan dise as well as extensive closed circuit surveillance systems (CCTV) to try and deter as well as catch shoplifters. The CCTV systems, coupled with digital video recorders and remote viewing tech nology, gives the NEX the ability to see everything within the store and identify incidents of theft. If shoplifting is suspect ed, NEX Loss Prevention/ Safety associates turn all incidents over to base police and /or local law enforcement. In addi tion to possible disciplin ary action and criminal prosecution, the Federal Claims Collection Act allows NEXCOM to enact a flat administrative cost or Civil Recovery of $200 for each incident of theft. Shoplifting can account for about one-third of the total inventory shrink. Shrink is the retail indus try term for the difference between the recorded book inventory and the actual physical inventory counted at the end of the year. Shrink is generally attributed to shoplifting, associate theft, adminis trative errors or vendor fraud. Over the past nine years, NEXCOM has seen its inventory shrink below one percent to sales com pared to the national average of approximately 1.42 percent to sales. Shoplifting from the NEX hurts everyone, said Ruane. People involved in shoplifting get caught, prosecuted and possibly banned from the NEX or end a military career. But the NEX and base lose out as well because 70 percent of our profits are given to Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) to support quality of life programs. In 2011, that contribution totaled over $43 million. If our profits decline, so do our contributions to MWR.Financial Planning To Survive The HolidaysNavy Personnel Command Public AffairsSailors should create a holiday spending plan now to avoid postseason financial hardship, said a Navy financial specialist, Nov. 15. Examine holiday priorities and figure out what is most important to you, said Stacy LivingstoneHoyte, financial counselor, Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC). Instead of spending your hardearned money on something just because its a holiday tradition; make sure its a tradition that is important to you and your family. Do not spend out of habit, obliga tion or guilt. Tracking expenses when pay ing for holiday purchases will help Sailors and families stay true to their priorities and objectives, said Livingstone-Hoyte. Determine your holiday spend ing limit by making a list of what you will spend on different catego ries or purchases. Be realistic and make sure that whatever you elect to spend will not exceed what you can afford, said Livingstone-Hoyte. A little research of market prices, retailer ads and deals around town can go a long way toward under standing how you can match your purchase dollars with items for sale and dont forget to clip, cut and stack coupons for the best results. Livingstone-Hoyte said Sailors should also consider alternative gift-giving options like making homemade gifts or cooking food, volunteering as a family to help neighbors, friends and relatives or making a coupon to give as a pres ent that is redeemable for babysit ting, lawn care, etc. Financial matters that occur from overspending or bad budget ing, such as failure to pay bills, bad credit, bankruptcy and foreclosures can negatively impact a Sailors career, and affect mission readiness and the Navys ability to transfer or retain Sailors. Command financial specialists (CFSs) provide financial education and training, counseling, and infor mation referral at the command level at no cost to Sailors and their families. FFSCs located worldwide provide financial education and counseling for Sailors and families as well. Sailors experiencing financial challenges should notify their chain of command and work with their CFS to development a budget and explore additional options such as military relief societies, eligibil ity for interest rate reductions and other relief. For more information about financial planning, budgeting or investing, contact the CFS, local FFSC or call the Navy Personnel Command customer service cen ter at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC or email CSCMailbox@navy.milNEX Rewards Students With A-OK ProgramFrom NEXCOMThe NEX wants to help its customers finance their childrens college education through its A-OK Student Reward Program. All qualified students will participate in a quarterly drawing for monetary awards of $2,500, $1,500, $1,000 or $500 for a total of $5,500 per quarter. The next drawing will be held at the end of November 2012. Any eligible full-time student that has a B-grade point average equivalent or better, as determined by their school system, may enter the drawing. Eligible students include dependent children of active duty military mem bers, reservists and mili tary retirees enrolled in first through 12th grade. Dependent children without an individual Dependent Identification Card must be accompa nied by their sponsor to submit their entry. Each student may enter only once each grading period and must re-enter with each qualifying report card. To enter the drawing, stop by any NEX with a current report card and have a NEX associate ver ify the minimum grade average. Then fill out an entry card and obtain an A-OK ID, which entitles the student to discount coupons for NEX prod ucts and services. The Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) has been offering students a chance to pay for college through its A-OK Student Reward Program since 1997. Since the program began, NEXCOM has awarded over $600,000 in Series EE U.S. savings bonds and monetary awards with the help of its generous ven dor partners. From Page 1NEX 12 THE MIRROR NS MAYPORT, Thursday, November 22, 2012

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A native of Caguas, Puerto Rico, Lt. Cmdr. Joel Rodriguez, recently joinced the ship as exec utive officer. He gradu ated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering. He has served at sea in guided missile cruisers, a guided missile frigate and a mine warfare ship. As a Division Officer he assigned as Electrical Officer and Auxiliaries Officer in USS Port Royal (CG 73) from 1999 to 2001 and as Fire Control Officer in USS Kauffman (FFG 59) from 2001 through 2002. Following Department Head School in late 2005, he served as Engineer Officer in USS Guardian (MCM 5) in Sasebo, Japan, and USS Normandy (CG 60) in Norfolk, Virginia. At sea, he most recently served in the U.S. Seventh Fleet Staff in USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) from 2009 to 2011. From Page 1TaylorThe Asia-Pacific region has been a longtime focus for the Navy, the admiral said, so it makes sense that the U.S. defense strategy would include a rebalance toward the region. Part of the rebalance includes Spains recent agreement to allow four Aegis missileequipped Arleigh Burkeclass ships to home-port in Rota, effectively freeing up six ships to deploy elsewhere, Greenert said. In addition, more ships will be based on the West Coast. By 2020, 60 per cent of the Navys ships will be based on the West Coast or elsewhere in the Pacific, he said. To send one ship for ward, Greenert said, requires four other ships: one in the region, one that has just returned, one that is preparing to deploy and one that is in main tenance. It makes better economic sense to keep ships home-ported in those regions, he said. About a third of the deployed ships are in the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf, and about 18 are in the Mediterranean Sea, the admiral said. That arrangement helps to ensure access to mari time crossroads such as the Suez Canal and the straits of Hormuz, Malacca and Gibraltar, he said. We have to have access to those places. Thats where the lifeblood of our world economy travels through, he said. It can take several days, sometimes two or three weeks, to reach these places from the U.S., he noted, underscoring the importance of operating from forward locations.From Page 1Deploy Spouse Honored With Yellow Rose For VolunteeringFrom USS TaylorCynthia Hill, a native of Midland Texas, was com missioned a Yellow Rose of Texas, under the laws of the State of Texas, for her longstanding volunteer services to military members, past and present, from Texas, Florida, other states, and out of country U.S. and foreign individuals in need. Cynthia Hill was presented the award on behalf of the Texas Governor Rick Perry by Lt. Cmdr. Joel Rodriguez, Taylors executive officer, Nov. 15, during a change of command ceremony for her husband. Cmdr. Jeremy Hill, Taylor commanding officer, was relieved on Nov. 15 by Cmdr. Dennis Volpe. Since August 2009, when she moved to Florida with her husband, Mrs. Hill has been volunteer ing with the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society, USO, Taylor Family Readiness Group and other volunteer activities. She was recognized for her vol unteer services in support of our Nations military service members and those in need. She is a very special lady and an invaluable asset, said Bill Kennedy, Director of Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. She is a volunteer that leads and inspire others and makes the organization tick, helping Sailors, Marines, retirees, and family members during difficult times when they need support the most. The Yellow Rose of Texas award is named for Emily Morgan, a 20-year-old slave who was instru mental in the battle to win Texas independence, as she gave General Sam Houstons troops Santa Annas location. It is the highest state award for a woman. THE MIRROR NS MAYPORT, Thursday, November 22, 2012 13

THE MIRROR NS MAYPORT, Thursday, November 22, 2012 17 Mission NutritionMWR Fitness Specialists Keep Sailors On Course Commander, Navy Installations Command Public AffairsWith fitness failure dis charges up 40 percent and the Navy continuing to increase its focus on phys ical readiness, it is more important than ever for a Sailor to ensure they are maintaining their physical condition through a life style of fitness and nutri tion. The times of Sailors being able to get by pass ing the physical readi ness test (PRT) and get ting a waiver for the body composition assessment (BCA) are long gone. Also long gone are the visu als of a gaggle of chubby Sailors out running along the waterfront in what ever clothes they threw on that morning, sweat ing heavily and breath ing even more heavily, as they finish their manda tory mile and a half for the second time that year. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus has made physical fitness one of the key components of his 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative. There is a laser-sharp focus on current PRT regulations, frequency and type of command fit ness sessions, and Navy resources available to provide Sailors with the information they need to maintain peak physical readiness both at sea and ashore. This information is provided through two invaluable tools offered by Commander, Navy Installations Commands (CNIC) Navy Fitness Program. Both the Mission Nutrition course and the Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling Series (NOFFS) offer Sailors information in a class room setting, as well as an individually tailored pro gram to put that knowl edge to use in their daily lives. In this case, knowledge is power. By fueling prop erly, Sailors will increase their fitness capabilities and will be far more like ly to reach their overall physical readiness goals. Mission Nutrition is a standardized, sciencebased nutrition educa tion workshop designed to educate Sailors, family members and retirees on nutrition topics that affect them including obesity, the impact of sedentary lifestyles, weight gain pre vention and weight loss, eating for optimal health and performance, mind less and emotional eating, fad diets, supplements, eating on the go, perfor mance nutrition, meal planning, grocery shop ping strategies and food preparation safety. Being a former Sailor, I feel this course provides relevant and applicable information for the Sailor and their families to use in a variety of situations. Whether Sailors are look ing to improve their per formance, overall health, trying to lose weight, become a better food shopper, or simply trying to be more educated in nutrition, this course has it covered, said Nicholas Aures, CNIC Navy fitness performance enhance ment dietitian. CNIC offers Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) fitness special ists and culinary special ists a four-day Facilitator Course that provides facilitators with increased knowledge and skills to teach their installation population. The facilita tors course is offered twice a year by Aures, a registered dietitian and certified strength and conditioning specialist who joined Navy Fitness as the performance enhancement dietitian in June 2012. Mission Nutrition is offered to Sailors, family members and retirees through certified mis sion nutrition instructors at Navy fitness centers worldwide. Currently, there are more than 100 certified instructors at 55 different bases within the 12 Navy Regions. I am writing to com mend you and your staff for the Mission Nutrition Program, wrote Sharon Eugene, the wife of a retired service member. I found the information provided in the classes informative and relevant for anyone looking to improve their eating hab its and also make health ier food choices. I do believe when programs like this one is provided to Navy personnel and their families, the benefits will be toward Navy Fitness. Obesity and Health According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, research has shown that those that are considered overweight or obese (body mass index of 25 or higher) are at a greater risk for the following: coronary heart dis ease, liver and gallbladder disease, Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and respira tory problems, cancers, hypertension, dyslipid emia stroke, osteoarthri tis, and gynecological problems. The 2008 DoD Survey of Health Related Behaviors Among Active Duty Military Personnel states that 60 percent of all active duty service members are classified as overweight. It goes further to state that 62 percent of all Sailors are considered overweight, with 14 per cent of those considered obese. Mission Nutrition is working to reverse the growing trend of over weight and obese Sailors through education and awareness. The instructors for the February sessions, Emily Deason, fitness coordi nator; Angela Rudd, fit ness specialist; and Mia Kuhn, fitness specialist, made the sessions clear and easy to understand, said Eugene. They each brought a different per sonal spin to the classes that were well prepared and refreshing from their different perspectives. Emilys view of the medi cal benefits of good nutrition, Angelas sugges tions as a Navy wife and mother of the importance of shopping habits and meal planning, and Mias input of being in control of our choices. I felt they wanted to arm me with the Mission Nutrition program for my well-being. Fad Diet and Exercise Programs Faced with the increased crackdown on physical readiness standards and a push to lose weight or be discharged from the military, many Sailors are looking for quick weight loss meth ods, many of which can be harmful or even fatal. Many fad diet pro grams dont provide the whole picture when it comes to nutritional information, and often times only focus on shap ing a desirable body image for the short term with no emphasis on long term health, said Aures. Many for-profit fit ness companies, such as CrossFit, P90X, Insanity, Gym Jones and others, add scientifically unprov en nutrition programs to their offerings to seem ingly increase the value of their product. As a result, many Sailors and family members seek informa tion from companies who market potentially harm ful dietary supplements, fad diets, and other weight loss products. In contrast, Mission Nutrition gives Sailors the knowledge and tools to make their own decisions on a variety of nutrition topics, said Aures. It also concentrates on forming a number of healthy hab its that can be sustained throughout their lifetime. With so many programs charging fees for infor mation that is far too often inaccurate, Mission Nutrition provides an abundance of reliable resources for the Sailor to utilize free of charge. Benefits Realized In a three-month post course survey conduct ed on base attendees in September: 88 percent agreed or strongly agreed that the Mission Nutrition course helped them cre ate an effective plan for their personal weight and nutrition goals 96 percent would rec ommend the course to someone else 98 percent would rec ommend the instructor to someone else 92 percent rate the overall course experience as Excellent 65 percent report information learned in the course impacted their productivity at work 88 percent believe their attendance at Mission Nutrition has positively impacted the foods they eat 78 percent say their course attendance has positively affected the foods their family eats 80 percent have increased their physical activity since attending Mission Nutrition 94 percent report a better understanding of nutrition due to attending the course 78 percent have increased how often they eat meals prepared at home Also, the vast majority of course attendees report that they have increased their fruit and vegetable intake, reduced their sodium intake, paid more attention to preand post-exercise meals, reduced saturated and Trans fat consumption, monitored their hydra tion status more closely, prepared more meals and eaten more meals from home, adjusted their caloric needs to more appropriate levels, reduced their soft drink consumption, increased their physical activ ity, paid more attention to portion size and have become more aware of why they are eating. My knowledge of food choices, serving size, good carbohydrates, and the correct ratio of protein to carbs were sharpened from the classes, as well as many other interest ing topics that were dis cussed, said Eugene. I went in the sessions being a person who avoided carbohydrates and graduated a person knowing the right ones for me. The result for me is I have a more energized workout that keeps me on the road to fitness. Also, the NOFFS virtual meal builder will be fur ther enhanced so users will be able to populate their daily meal plan with their favorite high octane foods via the site or app and the healthy recipe section will continue to grow. Quite frankly, the potential is endless and we have no intention to allow this website to become stagnant, said Sexauer. With the plethora of information avail able to Sailors and their families, the potential to meet nutrition and fit ness goals is also endless. CNIC encourages all ser vice members to use the resources available to ensure they are working toward a lifestyle of fit ness which will improve their overall health and increase personal readi ness, in turn improving the Navys readiness as a Global Force for Good. All Mission Nutrition course attend ees receive a certificate and a work book to continue to work on their nutrition goals long after completing the course. They also receive infor mation on many resources, which anyone can access, including the Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling System, which includes a Virtual Trainer and Virtual Meal Builder. NOFFS is available at www.navyfit ness.org/noffs. Other useful resources include: Performance nutrition articles: http://www.navyfitness.org/nutri tion/All-Navy_Sports_Nutrition Healthy Recipes: http://www.navy fitness.org/nutrition/healthy_recipes SHAPE (for those over 40): http:// www.navyfitness.org/shape/newslet ters Navy Fitness Programs: www.navy fitness.org Local Navy Fitness Centers for a variety of fitness and nutrition course offerings The website provides information in each of our program areas, a one-stop shop, if you will, said Lisa Sexauer, CNIC Fitnesss, Sports and Deployed Forces Support program manager. Upcoming changes to the website include adding a nutrition tip of the week which will be broadcast via the Navy Fitness Facebook page as well, located at http://www.facebook.com/ pages/Navy-Fitness/368681091650. Helpful Resources Surfside Fitness class schedule is as follows: Monday 11:30 a.m., Pilates 4:30 p.m., Cut N Core 5:30 p.m., Flex N Stretch Tuesday 10:30 a.m., Intro to Yoga 11:30 a.m., Zumba 4:30 p.m., Yoga Wednesday 6:30 a.m., NOFFS Nutrition & Fitness Series NOFFS (Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling Series) is a pro gram designed to improve the operational perfor mance of Navy personnel through fitness and nutrition. Emphasis is placed on injury prevention via tissue management and refueling. This is a 4-week program for CFLs and ACFLs only. 11:30 a.m., Strength Training For Women 12:30 p.m., Flex N Stretch 4:30 p.m., Zumba Thursday 9:30 a.m., Strength Fundamentals Learn basic strength training with focus on form and proper tech nique utilizing dumbbells, barbells, resistance bands and medicine balls. The results will be an overall increase in energy and endurance, a more effi cient metabolism, health ier posture and much more! 11:30 a.m., Zumba 4:30 p.m., Kickboxing Friday 9:30 a.m., Zumba Basics 11:30 a.m., Yoga Mayport Sandbox The Mayport Sandbox is a high intensity (H.I.T.) outdoor workout area located oceanfront behind Surfside Fitness Center. The area includes a Pull -up Bar and Ring rig, Kettlebells, Sleds, Tires, TRX Suspension Frame, Slam Balls, Ropes, Ab Mats, Sledge Hammers, Farmers Walk, Olympic Lift area and equipment, Monkey Bars, Low Crawl, Sprint and Drag area. H.I.T. training involves functional pro gramming that will take your workout to the next level. Both open Sandbox hours and instructor led classes are provided by Olympic Lift and Crossfit certified Mayport Fitness Team members. Monday 7 a.m., HIT 7 a.m., Command Bootcamp 8 a.m., Intro to HIT 9:30 a.m., Bootcamp Basics 11 a.m., HIT Noon, HIT Skill Review Tuesday 7 a.m., Command Bootcamp 11 a.m., HIT Noon, Intro to HIT 2 p.m., HIT 3 p.m., Intro to HIT Wednesday 7 a.m., HIT 8 a.m., HIT Skill Review 9:30 a.m., Intro to TRX Suspension Training Learn how to train using the unique and innovative TRX Suspension Training System. This class is reserved for those entire ly new to TRX training. This class will result in increased strength, coor dination, balance and CORE-power. Class size limited to 25. Class is held at Mayport Sandbox behind Surfside Fitness Center. 11 a.m., HIT Noon, Intro to HIT Thursday 7 a.m., Sunrise Yoga 7 a.m., HIT 8 a.m., Intro to HIT 11:30 a.m., HIT for Women 3 p.m., HIT 4 p.m., Intro to HIT Friday 7 a.m., HIT 7 a.m., TRX Suspension Training 8 a.m., HIT Skill Review 11 a.m., HIT Noon, Intro to HIT The new Gymnasium class schedule is as fol lows: Monday 11:30 a.m., Spinning 5:45 p.m., Kids Clinic This clinic is designed for children ages 10-14. It teaches how to safely use fitness equipment and provides general information on exercise and fit ness workouts. Held at Surfside Fitness Center. After completion of the course, participants will be issued a card which will allow them to use the facility when accompa nied by a parent or legal guardian. Tuesday 11:30 a.m., Steel Anchor This incentive program develops muscu lar strength and power needed to attain the Steel Anchor Award. Structured and progres sive training targets muscles to increase your bench press, squat, and dead-lift. Participants will utilize multiple piec es of free weight, selec torized and plate loaded strength equipment in the gym. Steel Anchor award includes a shirt and plaque recognition. 5:30 p.m., Spinning Wednesday 11:30 a.m., Rowing 101 4:30 p.m., Weight Training For Warfighters Thursday 11:30 a.m., Steel Anchor 5:30 p.m., Spinning Friday 7:30 a.m., Spinning 11:30 a.m., Rowing 101 MWR

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Check us out Online! mayportmirror.com USS Taylor Changes Hands USS Taylor PAOCommand of the Mayport-based Guided Missile Frigate USS Taylor (FFG 50) changed hands on Thursday, Nov. 13 when Cmdr. Dennis J. Volpe relieved Cmdr. Jeremy R. Hill in front of the crew, friends and family and some very special guests. USS Taylor was the proud host to the family its namesake, Jesse Junior Taylor. Twentythree Taylor family mem bers attended the change of command, including Jesse Jr. Taylors widow, Barbara Taylor. The last time Mrs. Taylor was on board was 28 years ago for Taylors commission ing ceremony. The family was able to participate in a ship tour and interacted with the Taylor crew. During the ceremo ny, Capt. Paul E. Flood, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 14, spoke on behalf of Cmdr. Hill and presented him with an end-of-tour award. Cyndi Hill, Cmdr. Hills wife, was also presented with a yellow rose o Volpe, was previ ously assigned as the executive officer of USS Taylor. A 1996 graduate of the Naval Academy, Volpe served aboard destroyers and cruisers throughout his career. His first tour of duty was aboard USS Spruance (DD 963) from January 1997 until November 2000, where he served as Communications Officer, Training Officer and First Lieutenant. In October 2004, he reported to USS Gettysburg (CG 64) and served as Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer until January 2008. His tours ashore include instructor duty at the United States Naval Academy as a member of the Leadership, Ethics, and Law Department, and a student at the Naval Command and Staff College at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He also served as a long-range operational planner at the ISAF Joint Command in Kabul, Afghanistan from July 2009 until July 2010. Volpe is a native of Long Island, New York and makes his home in Jacksonville, Florida. Hill has taken orders for the Executive Assistant to Commander 6th Fleet in Naples, Italy. -Photo by Paige GnannUSS Taylor new Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Dennis Volpe, right, holds a piece of cake baked by the ships culinary specialists to resemble the American flag when cut as outgoing Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Jeremy Hill, middle, reaches for a plate. NEX Gets Ready For HolidaysFrom NEXCOMThis holiday sea son, the NEX wants to make returning gifts as easy as possible. Since gifts may be purchased well before they are given during the holidays, all NEXs will accept returns through Jan. 31, 2013. This extended return policy applies to original purchases made Oct. 28 Dec. 24 either in a NEX or through the NEX web store, www.myNa vyExchange.com. Customers are asked to include any pack aging material along with the receipt when making a return. Any returns without a receipt will be placed on a NEX Gift Card. We know the holiday season can be hectic, said Michael Powers, Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) Director, Retail Operations. We want to give our NEX customers -Photo by MCC William TownsendCapt. Paul Flood, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 14, left, watches as Cmdr. Chris Follin, middle, relieves Cmdr. Leonard Milliken as commanding officer of USS Simpson during a pierside change of command ceremony on Nov. 16.New Captain For SimpsonFrom StaffCmdr. Chris Follin relieved Cmdr. Leonard H. Milliken as commanding officer of USS Simpson (FFG 56) dur ing a change of command ceremony held pierside in front of the ship on Nov. 16 at Naval Station Mayport. Guest speaker for the event was Capt. Paul Flood, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 14. Follin enlisted in the Navy in 1987 in the advanced electron ics field. He served five years onboard USS Birmingham (SSN 695) as a Electronics Technician Second Class and Navy Diver. While attached to the Chief of Naval Operations Special Project, Submarine Surveillance Equipment Program and ESM Certification team, he was selected for Admiral Boordas first Seaman to Admiral Program. After receiving his commission at Officer Candidate School and completing Surface Warfare Division Officer Course in 1996, he reported to USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) where he served as the Main Propulsion Division officer and Strike Officer and earned the SURFPAC ship han dler of the year award. In June 1998, Commander Follin reported to Mine Countermeasures Rotational Crew Bravo embarked onboard USS Pioneer (MCM 9) as the Operations Officer deploying to the Arabian Gulf in USS Ardent (MCM 12). While attached to the Naval ROTC unit in Jacksonville, Florida from December 1999 to December 2002, he earned a Bachelor of Science in History and a Masters Degree in Business. Returning to Sea Duty for his Department Head tours, onboard USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), Follin served as Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer. Remaining on sea duty, Follin reported to Commander Strike Force Training Atlantic Navy At Its Best When ForwardDeployedAmerican Forces Press ServiceWith warfighting the central focus of the Navys mission, the Navy is best when it is out and about, Navy Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, chief of naval operations, said last week. Operating forward means using innovative ways to make sure the ships that we have are where we need them to be, the admiral said during a speech at a National Press Club luncheon. Readiness to conduct forward operations requires more than just parts, maintenance and fuel, he added. It also means that we have competent and proficient crews that are ready to do the job, he said. For about 10 years, around half of the Navys ships have been forward-deployed in the AsiaPacific region, Greenert said. Half of those ships are home-ported there, he added. That forward-leaning posture helps to build international relationships and reassure U.S. allies, he said. Partnerships between the United States and Asia-Pacific nations are maturing and growing, Greenert said. For example, in Japan and South Korea, U.S. Navy operations personnel are collocated with their host nation counterparts, he said. In addition, a longstanding series of talks with the Chinese navy have been expanded to include flag officers, not just captains, Greenert said. We in the Department of Defense have now a deliberate strategy for engagement of the Chinese military, he said. See NEX, Page 12 See Taylor, Page 13 See Simpson, Page 11 See Deploy, Page 13Thanksgiving FeastAll are invited to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner prepared by Oasis Galley at 2 p.m. Beachside Community Center. Cos is $7.50 and is open to civilians, DoD, Contractors, friends and family.

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The Mirror The Mirror The Mirror Command Chaplain Lt. Cmdr. Jerome Cayangyang Roman Catholic Mass Sunday 9 a.m. Monday-Thursday 11:30 a.m. Confessions: before & after mass or upon request CCD, RCIA & Adult Ed: Sunday 10:30 a.m. Baptisms 3rd Sunday of month 10:30 a.m. Catholic Youth Group 2nd & 4th Sunday 11:30 a.m-1 p.m. Protestant Worship Sunday 10:30 a.m. Sunday school 9:15 a.m. Choir: Wednesday 7 p.m. Baptism: For information contact your chaplain Womens Bible Study Wednesday 10 a.m. Protestant Youth Group 1st Friday Youth Quak Trip 6:30 p.m. 3rd Friday at Chapel 7-10:30 p.m. PWOC 2nd Saturday 9:30 a.m. PMOC 3rd Saturday Prayer Breakfast 9 a.m. MOPS 1st & 3rd Thursday, 9:30 a.m. For more information or other worship opportunities and religious organizations in Jacksonville, call 270-5212.Shipmates, A huge Mayport Bravo Zulu to everyone involved in the preparation and execution of the Navy-Marine Corps Classic Basketball Game held on the decks of USS Bataan (LHD 5) Nov 9. Lonnie Kenney and the entire MWR staff, CWO4 Chuck Mogle and the Security team, CDR Miguel Dieguez leading the Public Works efforts, and CAPTs Cook, Fuller and LCDR Socias of SERMC who moved mountains to enable this national event to happen and happen safely. Special thanks to the men and women of USS Bataan who hosted the game, the City of Jacksonville for their efforts, and those who went out to the local schools during the Week of Valor telling their stories to students about life in the Navy. This event reaffirmed the Navys long-term partnership with the city of Jacksonville and the surround ing community and we are very proud that we were able to show Navy pride on a national level. Our Navy Public Affairs Center provided extensive photo coverage of the Navy and Marine Corps Classic, and many of those images are posted on the Navy Newsstand. Big thanks to those folks too for their photo and story coverage. I want to remind all of the First Class Petty Officers that the E7 advancement exam is just around the corner. I know that the CMC and the Chiefs Mess are doing good things with the CPO 365 program. Make sure to study and be pre pared. The exam will be administered Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013 at the Ocean Breeze Conference Center. The holidays are here and now more than ever we need to keep in mind safety when hitting the roads to see loved ones, preparing Thanksgiving meals and holiday decorations. Keep in mind all the resources we have on hand at our Fleet and Family Support Center and Navy and Marine Corps Relief. Counseling, financial help and advice for example, are just some of the areas that you can find help and assistance right here at building one. We have a full staff of experts standing by to assist you. There is no problem to big or small that we cannot tackle together. Also keep in mind that the Navys focus on sexual assault is still front and center and needs our daily attention. On aver age two of our shipmates are sexual ly assaulted daily throughout the fleet. One is too many. Take advantage of all the resources we have and sound off if, you or someone else has been sexually assaulted in any way, shape or form. The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) hotline number is 563-1254. Tomorrow please come celebrate Thanksgiving with a full blown feast at our Beachside Community Center. Our award winning galley staff has worked very hard to prepare for those that wont be able to be with family this year, and the meal will be served at 1400 and end at 1630. The price is $7.50 and all are invited; civilians, DoD, Contractors, friends and family. Thanks to each of you for bringing your hard work and professionalism each day through our gates. It never goes unnoticed. Be safe and keep sending those suggestions to the COs suggestion box or email them at douglas.cochrane@ navy.mil.Capt. Doug Cochrane CAPTAINSFor students anticipat ing graduation in June 2013, Saturday, December 1st marks the first day they can go online to complete the application for the Bright Futures Scholarships and other state loans and grants. Go to www. FloridaStudentFinancialAid. org, select State Grants, Scholarships & Applications and then select Apply Here. The completion of the Initial Student Florida Financial Aid Application gives the Florida Department of Education per mission to evaluate the stu dents high school transcript and test scores for eligibility for state scholarships and grants. General eligibility require ments include the following: U.S. citizen or eligible non-cit izen. degree at an eligible Florida postsecondary institution. funds within TWO years of high school graduation (Unless enlist directly in the military after high school graduation. Then the TWO-year period begins upon date of separation from active duty.). The requirement is a change to the eligibility requirements which previously allowed three years for reinstatement! or have pled not contest to a felony charge. non-remedial semester credit hours. error-free Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This is anoth er change to the eligibility requirements. The online Florida Financial Aid Application is a self-report ed document. The student can use his transcript from last June at the end of his junior year to complete the application. All information will be verified when the district uploads his first semester grades and courses in January of 2013. However, families sometimes need addi tional help when completing a FAFSA for the first time. Last years change requir ing the submission of a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) now includes the word error-free. Florida has now joined several states and many school financial aid programs which require the FAFSA. However, completion of the FAFSA for Bright Futures does not determine whether a stu dent receives the Bright Futures Scholarship. It DOES deter mine if the student will receive the money for the scholarship. Without this document on file, no Bright Futures money will be sent to the student. To get help with the ins and outs of completing the FAFSA, plan to attend the Parent Program on Financial Aid, scheduled for Jan. 24 at the USO on Mayport Road from 6 p.m. 8 p.m. The speaker Clarence Richardson is a retired US Navy Lt. Commander and enroll ment specialist for FSCJ. He is the area expert on all aspects of financial aid. Andrea Reese, Military OneSource consultant, will present the military side of financial aid, and I will provide additional information on the available State of Florida loans, grants, and scholarships especially Bright Futures. In the meantime, go online to www. FloridaStudentFinancialAid. org for additional informa tion on the Bright Futures Application. Some SAT/ACT score requirements increased for students graduating this year. Community service requirements increased for all three Bright Futures award levels. Learn how to create a PIN (Personal Identification Number) online. The State no longer sends acceptance letters by mail. Students MUST monitor their award status online. In past years, students went to www.flvs.org to check their Bright Futures GPA. This information is now found on www. flvc.org. This website, Florida Virtual Campus for Students, is Floridas official online onestop-shop in transitioning students from middle school through college. AND IT IS THE ONLY PLACE STUDENTS AND PARENTS CAN CHECK THE STUDENTS BRIGHT FUTURES GPA!!! It is not the GPA on the report card nor is it found on the transcript. You must go to www.flvc.org to find this important information. Funding for the scholar ship does not begin until the fall term following high school graduation. Scholarship recipients are not eligible for funding during the sum mer term immediately follow ing high school graduation. The academic year begins in the fall and ends in the sum mer. By going online to www. FloridaStudentFinancialAid. org, you can check on the cur rent year award amounts for each of the three Bright Futures Scholarships. Judy Cromartie is the School Liaison Officer for NS Mayport. If you have questions about this article or concerns about an educational issue impacting your child, she can be reached via email at judith.cromartie@ navy.mil or by phone at (904) 270-6289 X1305 [office] or (904) 219-3894 [cell]. Or you can schedule a meeting with her in her office in Building One.Fla Bright Futures Online Application OpenJudy Cromartie School Liaison Officer KnowingSecond Harvest Empty Bowls Full Of Hope ATGThanksgiving is around the corner and as we prepare to arrange a feast for our families, we recall those in need. Jacksonville kicked off the season of giving at the 28th annual Empty Bowls Luncheon on Nov. 13 to benefit North Floridas Second Harvest. Hundreds gathered downtown at the Prime Osborn Convention Center to pledge to end hunger in North Florida. This event reminds us that the hunger is not continents away often it is right down the street. One in six Northern Floridians and one in four children are food insecure, meaning that they do not have regular access to nutritious food. Second Harvest Food Bank, the events host, serves 17 counties and 400 agencies locally. This year Second Harvest has already disturbed 24 mil lion pounds of food. The Empty Bowls Luncheon is truly an event. First, you select your own personal bowl from tables full of donat ed unique bowls handpainted by local children, seniors and artists. Once you have found a bowl to call your own, you are served a simple meal of soup and a roll. Looking at the meager meal, you know you will still be hungry after its consumption and you realize what so many face every day. Celebrity hosts and live music help us focus on the most important part of this event: hope. Second Harvest can turn just one dollar into seven meals that impact men, women and children right here in Jacksonville. The luncheon makes you feel empowered and prepares you for your season of giving.-Photo submittedBowls are set out at the Empty Bowls Luncheon event sponsored by Second Harvest. The fundraising event helps feed families throughout North Florida. Holiday Hours For CommissaryMayport Commissary will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 22. The Commissary will also be open on Monday, Dec. 24 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and closed on Tuesday, Dec. 25. What does HOPE look like? Hope looks like Mary Tyler Moore, International Chairman, JDRFShe has type 1 diabetes, and her hope for better treatments and a cure lies in the progress of research. To learn more, call 800.533.CURE or visit jdrf.org. A CFC participant. Provided as a public service. 2 THE MIRROR, NS MAYPORT, Thursday, November 22, 2012

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In Proverbs 22:6, the Bible states, Start chil dren off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it. The premise of this parental imperative is framed in the histori cal context of what the Hebrews knew as the Shema. The Shema is an affir mation of Judaism and a declaration of faith in one God. Thus, the first stanza of this avowal reads, Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one (Deuteronomy 6:4, NIV). Verses 5-9 of this passage offer the remaining con tents of the Shema. The obligation to recite the Shema is separate from the obligation to pray and a Jew is obli gated to say Shema in the morning and at night (Deut. 6:7). As you can see, the imparting of spirituality was a serious mat ter. Along with the spiritual and natural development of children, parents also have a responsibility to ensure they prepare their children for academic success. During a recent research venture, I came across some data that deserves our attention. Those of us who have treaded the sacred grounds of parenthood and have children past the threshold of their genesis years can now only wish we possessed the wisdom of our cur rent years. Those of you who have children who have not yet reached such a threshold should take heed and consider what I am about to share. In a report titled Early Warning! Why read ing by the end of third grade matters, the Annie E. Casey Foundation research department concluded that as children progress through school, their failure to meet cer tain milestones is highly predictive of later drop out. Parents and educators should be particularly vigilant regarding each childs academic perfor mance. Recognizing the warning signs promptly is crucial to early and effec tive intervention. By the third grade, it is very important for children to have mas tered how to read since it underpins future learn ing in the upper elemen tary grades where more complex reading skills are required. They should have transitioned from learning to read to reading to learn. What is the point? Make your children read more start young; carve out time daily and make them stick to it. Anything we do for 21 days straight will become a habit. They may hate you now for making them do the uncomfortable, but they will love you later. My third and fourth grade teachers told my mother I could not read. They were correct. My mother acknowledged their findings, but she would not allow them to label me. As you can imagine my summers and weekends were not fun, but they taught me how to do what I did not want to do. If you have fallen off the horse concerning this issue, you can get back on. Do not allow anyone to label your children, and press hard on this read ing issue. Although this research only speaks to a single aspect of a childs educational development, it is nonetheless a very important one. Perhaps, a good Bible Story book might be a good place to begin. Children love sto ries and it is also a means for introducing God into their lives.Investing Wisely In Your Kids Pays DividendsChap Calvin Gardner Sr. Surface Force Ministry Center CHAPLAINS Medical ClosedBranch Health Clinic Mayport will be closed for Thanksgiving Holiday, Nov. 22-25 THE MIRROR NS MAYPORT, Thursday, November 22, 2012 3

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4 THE MIRROR, NS MAYPORT, Thursday, November 22, 2012 Jacksonville Comes Out To Honor VeteransMCPON Zeroes In On Excellence At Mayport Office of the Master Chief Petty Officer of the NavyMaster Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON)(AW/NAC) Mike D. Stevens visited Naval Station Mayport, Fla., Nov. 8-10, to dis cuss his Zeroing in on Excellence initiative. MCPON met with area chiefs to discuss his ini tiative that he released in four letters to the Chiefs Mess Nov. 6, and used this trip as his first opportu nity to assess communi cation success. If you have seen, read or heard of the initia tive that I recently sent out called Zeroing in on Excellence raise your hand, said Stevens. Three quarters of the approximately 150 chief petty officers raised their hand. MCPON discussed the basics of the idea behind the initiative and the three focus areas of: developing leaders, good order and discipline, and controlling what we own. What the Zeroing in on Excellence initiative provides you is the framework within which you can work, said Stevens. Its my charge to every chief petty officer in the Navy to look at it, espe cially the leaders within the mess, and ask them selves, What is it we can do to support this and sustain it? Im not inter ested in a flash in the pan, here-now-gone-tomor row effort. MCPON explained that if a leader is ineffective, then the command is ineffective. MCPON also visited commands and Sailors throughout the base including USS Philippine Sea (CG 58). While there, a Sailor asked MCPON for advice on becoming MCPON. I have been in the Navy for 30 years, said Stevens. After all that time, here is what I can tell you about being suc cessful; work hard, stay out of trouble and be a good and decent person. If you do those things, you will be a success in any thing that you do. While visiting USS De Wert (FFG 45), MCPON met with the Chiefs Mess and to discuss his initia tive and and team cohe sion. Im asking you, as chief petty officers, to be strategically smart, said Stevens. Recognize where the world is at, where our economy is at, to recognize where the Navy is at and where we are going. You have to be smart. Think about the things you personally own in your organization that will ultimately impact those strategic decisions when we come together collectively as a Chiefs Mess. Fleet engagements are intended to provide senior leadership with a frontline assessment of Sailors and what they are doing in the fleet. -Photo by MC2 Thomas L. RosprimMaster Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Michael D. Stevens speaks to area command master chiefs and senior enlisted leaders at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. MCPON spoke about his 'Zeroing in on Excellence' initiative and answered questions. -Photo by MC2 Thomas L. RosprimMaster Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Michael D. Stevens speaks with Sailors aboard the guided-missile frigate USS De Wert (FFG 45) at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. -Photo by MC2 Thomas L. RosprimStevens speaks with Seaman Joe Bridge while visiting the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) at NS Mayport. Local spectators show their spirit and pride for the military during the city of Jacksonville Veterans Day Parade. -Photos by MCSN Damian BergNavy ROTC cadets from Jacksonville University march in the Jacksonvilles Veterans Day Parade. The parade was an end to the city's Week of Valor tribute, honoring veterans, military members and their families. Veterans and spectators salute during the Pledge of Allegiance during the City of Jacksonvilles Veterans Day Parade. Naval Station Mayport Commanding Officer, Capt. Doug Cochrane, waves at the crowds of people enjoying the citys Veterans Day Parade.

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THE MIRROR NS MAYPORT, Thursday, November 22, 2012 5 On Your Marks, Get Set Diaper Dash Navy Public Affairs Support Element East, Detachment SoutheastThirty expectant moms, who are active duty or whose spouses are deployed, were show ered with recognition and gifts during the Greater Jacksonville USO third annual Military Moms Diaper Dash Nov. 14. Winn-Dixie and Chevrolet sponsored the event and marks the third time the Diaper Dash was held in Jacksonville for military moms-tobe from Naval Station Mayport and surrounding installations. This is a day to cel ebrate expecting mili tary mothers and we are going to give them an opportunity to come to our center today, said John Shockley, executive director of the Greater Jacksonville USO. The moms to be will be escorted around in Chevrolet a vehicles to three different Winn-Dixies to gather up goodies for their expect ing newborns here in the near future. Diaper Dash was cre ated specifically because typically military moms are the ones who hold it all together at home, said Shockley. Without their spouses by their side, deployed to another part of the world, these moms deserve our support, our thanks, our love and an opportunity to celebrate together. Diaper Dash allowed the pregnant ladies to test drive new family-friend ly Chevrolets, while they dashed around town to three different WinnDixies, picking up shop ping bags full of goodies along the way. The crew headed back to the Mayport USO to enjoy lunch and door prizes. The ladies also received a crash course on how to properly install a car seat from Lesley Seator a representative from Safe kids northeast Florida. Its imperative that these women get proper training on how to install a car seat properly, said Seator. Safe Kids Northeast Florida wants to help the men and women that keep us safe keep their children safe. The expectant moth ers also had the oppor tunity to meet Jaxon, the Jacksonville Jaguars mas cot, who showed up and helped pass out the gift baskets. It was awesome to have Jaxon come and help out and entertain us military moms, said Masterat-Arms 3rd Class Sharon Berg, a participant in the Diaper Dash. Each mom received an array of unique, highquality products and gift items for mothers and babies that have been donated by Winn Dixie and Chevrolet. From onesies to dia pers, diaper bags and formula, the gifts will go a long way toward raising the spirits of the momsto-be, many of whom would not otherwise have the opportunity to experience a baby shower. -Photo by MCSN Damian Berg Jaxon deVille hands a goodie bags filled with diapers, formula, wipes and other products for a newborn baby to Ashley Fanning wife of Seaman Johnathon Fanning, USS Gettysburg (CG 64), during the Greater Jacksonville Area USO Military Mom Diaper Dash. Jaxon deVille, the mascot for the Jacksonville Jaguars, and the expecting mothers pose for a group photo during the Greater Jacksonville Area USO Military Mom Diaper Dash. The diaper dash was held by the USO to help expecting mothers receive some of the essential items they will need for their newborn children.-Photo by MCSN Damian Berg Christy Jackson Whigham, wife of Lt. j.g. Brandon Whigham USS Taylor (FFG 50), grabs a Diaper Dash onesie during the Greater Jacksonville Area USO Military Mom Diaper Dash. Lesley Seator, representative of Safe Kids Northeast Florida, explains how to properly set up a car seat during the Greater Jacksonville Area USO Military Mom Diaper Dash. The diaper dash was held by the USO to help expecting mothers receive some of the essential items they will need for their newborn children.K9S For Warriors K9sforwarriors is locat ed in Ponte Vedra Beach and they specifically offer service dogs for warriors medically diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress. If you or someone you know would greatly ben efit from having a canine companion, please visit www.k9sforwarriors.org for more information. Smiles Over Miles Smiles Over Miles gives all active duty mili tary service members the opportunity to send video messages back home for free, easily from any computer with an inter net connection and web cam. The technology also comes with built in secu rity, so messages are kept private and delivered via secure transmission. Signup now via the following link: http://smilesover miles.com Special For Military Hunting And Fishing License Active-duty and retired military Florida residents can get a low cost ($20) Military Gold Sportsmans License. The license cov ers hunting, freshwater and saltwater fishing and a variety of associ ated permits at a greatly reduced cost. The Military Gold Sportsmans License is available at tax col lectors offices only. Applicants must present a current military ID card plus a Florida drivers license or orders show ing they are stationed in Florida as proof of eli gibility. Military Gold Sportsmans License (includes same privileg es as Gold Sportsmans License, Listed Below) Available to Florida resi dents who are active or retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces, Armed Forces Reserve, Florida National Guard, Coast Guard or Coast Guard Reserve; upon submis sion of a current military identification card and proof of Florida resi dency. Gold Sportsmans License includes Hunting, Saltwater Fishing and Freshwater Fishing licenses; and Deer, Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Crossbow, Turkey and Florida Waterfowl, Snook and Lobster per mits. Recycling Recycling has come to the Greater Jacksonville Area USO. If you have any office paper, shred ded paper, old magazines, and newspapers that you would like to donate, please bring it to either the Mayport or NAS JAX USO Center. This will be a great fundraiser for the USO so please help us fill the bins. Help support the troops with your unwant ed paper! Honorably discharged veterans, active-duty service and reserve members will receive a 25 percent discount on the purchase of a Florida State Park annual pass. The discount provides a savings of $15 on an individual annual pass and $30 on a family annual pass, which allows up to eight people in a group to access most of Floridas 160 state parks. In addi tion, honorably dis charged veterans who have service connected disabilities, and surviv ing spouses of military veterans who have fallen in combat, will receive a lifetime family annual entrance pass at no charge. For information on qualifications and necessary forms to receive these discounts, visit www.FloridaStateParks. org/ United Through Reading program makes it possible to share in the enjoyment of reading to the children in your life, even while thousands of miles apart. The Mayport Center and NAS Center can record you reading a book to your children and send it to them after you have gone on deployment. It is a great way to make them smile on their special day even when you can not be there with them. Please contact your local USO center for more information. There is a computer resource center avail able to all service mem bers with email, Internet and word processing. Fax, copy and free notary service is also available. Watch TV or a movie from the video library Service members can also enjoy video games or use the sports equipment. There is a full kitchen, showers, a quiet reading room and a meeting room available at the USO. The USO is available for meetings, support groups, receptions, parties and pre-deployment briefs. A TV, VCR and overhead projector are available for use. For more information about activities or meet ing availabilities, call 2463481 or stop by the center at 2560 Mayport Road. USO

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FFSC Workshop, Class Schedule SetFrom FFSCThe following class es and activities are offered by the Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) and are free of charge. Pre-registration is required and childcare is not available. For more information about the classes or to register call 270-6600, ext. 1701. FFSC is located in Building One on Massey. Nov. 21, 9 a.m.-noon, Employment Seminar FFSC Room 607 Nov. 22, 9 a.m.-noon, Tottle Tyme Playgroup USO USO Parents and chil dren together meet to share parenting concerns, ideas, and fun! The group invites professionals to address specific areas of concern such as nutrition, toilet training, etc. We even take field trips sev eral times a year to local parks, museums and playgrounds. This group is designed for moms new to the area or moms who want their child to inter act with other children their childs age. All chil dren age four and below are invited to attend. Nov. 26-29, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., TAP Separatee Workshop Building 1 Room 1616 Designed for Military personnel within 90-180 days of leaving the mili tary. The seminar focus es on benefits for service members and their fam ily members. Participants receive help in translat ing their military acquired skills into civilian lan guage and are exposed to the civilian job mar ket and how to success fully compete in the civilian employment arena; learning about resumes, employment interviews and marketing them selves. If you are within a minimum of 180 days of leaving the military see your career counselor for a quota for this highly successful program. Nov. 27, 9-11 a .m., Active Parenting FFSC Room 702 Nov. 27, 6-8 p.m., Ombudsman Assembly Building 1 Room 104 Nov. 28, 9 a.m.-noon, Employment Seminar FFSC Room 607 Nov. 28, 3-4:30 p.m., Managing Anger Group FFSC Room 702 Nov. 29, 9 a.m.-noon, Tottle Tyme Playgroup USO USO Parents and chil dren together meet to share parenting concerns, ideas, and fun! The group invites professionals to address specific areas of concern such as nutrition, toilet training, etc. We even take field trips sev eral times a year to local parks, museums and playgrounds. This group is designed for moms new to the area or moms who want their child to inter act with other children their childs age. All chil dren age four and below are invited to attend. Saturday, Nov. 24 Find out from a park ranger at 2 p.m what a gopher is, where they live and why they are so important. This pro gram will take place at the Ribault Club on Fort George Island Cultural State Park. No reserva tions are necessary and the program is free. The Jacksonville Light Parade will be held at 7 p.m. The event will be held in partnership with private organizations and local supporters, similar to the 2011 event. The City of Jacksonville invites boat captains and crews to register for the 2012 Jacksonville Light Parade. Registration is free; however, it is limited to the first 100 vessels. Boaters interested in participating can visit the website www. makeascenedowntown. com for registration information. Wednesday, Nov. 28 The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens is hosting an evening of art, live music and historical insight from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to celebrate the Lois Mailou Jones: A Life in Vibrant Color exhibition. Enjoy a lecture examining Jacksonvilles artistic ties to the Harlem Renaissance. Join Director Hope McMath and Chief Curator Holly Keris as they discuss Floridas little known connection to the Harlem Renaissance through James Weldon Johnson, Augusta Savage and other nationally-known artists of the period. The lecture will be followed by cocktails and live jazz by The Dixie/Swing Quintet, featuring vocalist Lisa Kelly and trumpeter JB Scott. Cost is members, $25 and non-members, $35. To purchase tickets or for more information, please call (904) 8996004 or visithttp://www. cummer.org/programsevents/calendar-ofevents/jazz-jacksonvilleharlem-renaissance Tuesday, Dec. 4 The Police Athletic League of Jacksonville, Inc. (PAL) is hosting the eighth annual I Shot With The Sheriff Charity Fun Shoot at the Jacksonville Gun Club, 12125 New Berlin Rd. PAL is seeking supporting shooters to form five-member teams to participate in the shooting tournament event. The competition format consists of 110 targets with skeet, trap and a five-stand flurry. Team entries are $1,000 each. Sponsors will also enjoy a post-tournament reception that includes light refreshment and an award ceremony. Registration and lunch begin at 11 a.m. and the tournament starts at 1 p.m. Proceeds of this event will go to support PALs nationally accredited afterschool, sports, mentoring and summer camp programs provided to more than 2,800 at-risk children throughout the community with the help of Jacksonville police officers. For more information on the Sheriffs Shoot, please contact Robbie Frietas at 251-5934 or rfreitas@ fop530.com or visit www. jaxpal.com. Friday, Dec. 7 Mayor Alvin Brown invites residents to attend the inaugural Holiday at St. James celebration. The event will feature a craft bazaar from 11 a.m.-3 p.m in Hemming Plaza, carolers, crafts for kids, an evening open house at City Hall,117 West Duval St., and will culminate with a lighting of the St. James Holiday tree in Hemming Plaza from 4:30-7 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to come and experience St. James for the holidays. Event is free and open to the public. Vendor opportunities are available. Call (904) 630-3690 for application information. Out in Town COMMUNITYCALENDAR 6 THE MIRROR, NS MAYPORT, Thursday, November 22, 2012

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Planning For Partnership-Photo by Lt. Cmdr. Corey Barker Commander U.S. 4th Fleet, Rear Adm. Sinclair M. Harris welcomes military and civilian planners to the opening of the Southern Partnership Station planning conference. The high speed vessel SWIFT (HSV-2) will again be the flagship for the annual deployment to the 4th Fleet operating area. Military Sealift Commands First Mobile Landing Platform Ship Floated From Dry DockMilitary Sealift Command Pacific Public AffairsMilitary Sealift Commands first Mobile Landing Platform ship completed its first float out opera tion at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego Nov. 13. Designated T-MLP-1, the ship will be named USNS Montford Point, honoring African American Marine Corps recruits who trained at Camp Montford Point, N.C, from 1942 to 1949. The first of three MLPs planned for construction at NASSCO, Montford Point is scheduled to be christened in March 2013 and delivered to MSC in May 2013. This ship, and the others in its class, will be imperative to MSCs role in supporting Navy and Marine Corps warfight ers worldwide, said Rear Admiral Mark Buzby, commander, Military Sealift Command. It was exciting to wit ness this important mile stone getting MLP 1 into her element today brings us one step closer to being mission-ready in 2013, he said. The MLP is a new class of auxiliary support ship, scheduled to join MSCs Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF). These ships will be the centerpiece of the Navys Sea Base concept, and will serve as a transfer point for Marine Corps amphibious land ing forces between large ships and small landing craft. They will provide the capability to transfer vehicles and equipment at-sea, improving the U.S. militarys ability to deliv er equipment and cargo from ship to shore when land bases do not exist. The MLP class of ships will fill a critical role in enabling U.S. forc es to be delivered safely and effectively around the world using mobile, sea-based strategies in areas where secure har bor facilities ashore are not readily available, said Tim McCully, depu ty commander, Military Sealift Command Pacific. By remaining at sea as floating logistics support bases, these ships enhance the indepen dence of U.S. forces to operate near global hot spots without entering their ports, he said. Unlike the traditional ship launch, the pro cess for un-docking the 784-foot-long MLP is a slow, methodical and technical evolution. The launch consists of slow ly flooding the building dock, stopping the flood ing, balancing the ship, inspecting the ship, and then balancing it again before continuing the flooding. The sequence is repeated several times until the ship is level to the water outside the dry dock, then completed by pulling the ship from the building dock and moving it pier side with tug boats. MSC operates approxi mately 110 non-combat ant, civilian-crewed ships that replenish U.S. Navy ships, conduct specialized missions, strategically preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and move military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and coalition partners. -Navy photo illustration courtesy of NASSCOAn artist concept of a mobile landing platform (MLP) ship under construction at the General Dynamics National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO) shipyard in San Diego, Calif. MLP-1 will be the firstof-class ship, delivering a flexible platform to support Maritime Prepositioning Ship squadrons. DOD Issues Request For New Mobility Applications, DevicesAmerican Forces Press ServiceService members could be downloading appli cations for government BlackBerrys, iPhones, Androids and other mobility devices by the beginning of next year, said Air Force Maj. Gen. Robert E. Wheeler, the deputy chief information officer for the department. The goal, he said, is to have the military app store set up by early 2013. It all depends on if we get a good bid, Wheeler explained in an interview. The request for procure ment closes out at the end of the year, and it should not take long to put the store in play once the decision is made, he added. Wheeler said the needs of the department are at the core of the request. Were looking at things from a three-bin per spective, he added. The first bin, he said, contains mobility devices that dont need to con nect with a DOD official or classified network. These include devices used for training, com munications in an unclassified nonsecure realm, research and so on, he said. He said the second bin holds those devices that are connected to the secure but unclassified network. Today, these are mainly BlackBerrys, Wheeler said, but there are pilot programs incor porating Androids, iPhones and tablets in this bin. The third group con nects with the classified network, he said. The departments future app store will feature applications appropriate for each bin, the general said, and he expects the security per formance of these items will change to encompass DODs strict needs. DOD personnel use 271,000 BlackBerrys alone, he noted, and Research In Motion the Canadian company that developed BlackBerrys has a secu rity protocol the depart ment approves. We hope other com panies develop this, Wheeler said. Overall, he said, the larger issue is as we move forward with technology, were trying to make sure we are making it less costly to DOD, were trying to make it more secure and were trying to jump the productivity curve here. Jumping the curve is key for the department and to do that, Wheeler said, the department needs to get these devic es into the hands of the young men and women to whom they are sec ond nature. The so-called digital generation is developing new uses for these devices every day, the general noted, and this has bridged into the tactical world, as well. These devices have uses far beyond just talking to each other and e-mail, he said. The department is basically going for diver sity in our products, and that goes back to trying to get the best price for the government and finding the most secure device, he said. So we will have a family of options that dont favor any one device. Registration Open For Joint Womens Leadership SymposiumFrom SSLAThe Sea Service Leadership Association (SSLA) opened reg istration for its 26th annual Joint Womens Leadership Symposium, the larg est gathering of military women in the nation. Women from each of the five service branches are invited to regis ter. The two-day sym posium will be held March 10-12, 2013, at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. Attendees may register at www. sealeader.org. With the theme, Stronger Self, Stronger Service, the sympo sium will provide par ticipating servicewom en with tools for both their personal and pro fessional lives, to make them better leaders. The symposium will feature a robust agen da on a variety of top ics such as Bystanders Intervention, Combating Sexual Assault, Improving Communication Skills, and an Executive Female Flag Session. Established in 1978, SSLA is the only nonprofit, non-political organization recog nized by the United States Sea Services dedicated to providing professional develop ment through networking, education, and mentorship of women from the United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. 8 THE MIRROR, NS MAYPORT, Thursday, November 22, 2012

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Navy To Track ITEMPO ReportingFrom Navy Personnel Command Public AffairsThe Navy has reestab lished a formal Individual Personnel Tempo (ITEMPO) Program Management Office to administer the program, train commands and provide assistance to the Fleet with compliance, according to a message released, Nov. 9. The term ITEMPO means the amount of time Sailors are engaged in their official duties at a location or under circumstances that make it infeasible for them to spend off-duty time in their residence. These absences are defined in ITEMPO as deployment events and non-deployment events. Individual units are responsible for reporting data to the ITEMPO reporting system. As deployment lengths and schedules change based on world events, the impact to Sailors and families is of paramount interest to Navy lead ership, said Mark Gill, ITEMPO program man ager, Navy Personnel Command (NPC). ITEMPO is the central ized tool to track this information so reporting compliance is essential. According to NAVADMIN 335/12, commands must track all deployment events in ITEMPO. Deployment events are defined as operations, exercise, unit training, home station training and mission support temporary duty. An ITEMPO User Guide is available at http://www. public.navy.mil/bupersnpc/support/itempo/ pages/default.aspx. The Navy waived the requirement to track nondeployment ITEMPO events in the ITEMPO System. ITEMPO nondeployment events include TAD to schools, hospitalizations within the local permanent duty station and brig prisoners. All Navy commands and activities are required to report ITEMPO deployment events using the ITEMPO system via BUPERS Online (BOL) at www.bol.navy.mil. Commanding officers, or the command ITEMPO representatives, can also log on to BOL under the NavPers Legacy & ITEMPO page and review the user guide for instructions on how to document ITEMPO. The ITEMPO Program Management office is available to provide training, advice and assis tance to the fleet regard ing ITEMPO policies and procedures. They can also provide system access and feature a help desk to support the Fleet. According to the mes sage, NPC plans to issue ITEMPO reporting com pliance scorecards to budget submitting offices each month to track compliance. For more information and a complete list of ITEMPO points of contact read NAVADMIN 335/12 or contact the ITEMPO System Help Desk at helpdesk@persnet.navy.mil.Hu City Drills Keeps Crew Prepared Information Systems Technician Seaman Erika Bortree, Ship's Serviceman Seaman Apprentice Corey Gabbard and Yeoman 3rd Class Michael Kirkman practice applying a splint during a medical training team drill aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66). -Photo by MCSN Darien G. Kenney 10 THE MIRROR, NS MAYPORT, Thursday, November 22, 2012

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Mayport Celebrates Native American, Alaska Native Heritage Month -Photo by Katie CallawayAlaskan native,Yeoman 1st Class Eileen Nelson of U.S Coast Guard, talk about her Aleut heritage and growing up in a small community of 35 people.from October 2006 to September 2008 as the Assistant Maritime Operations Officer responsible for design ing maritime composite unit training exercises for Carrier and Expeditionary Strike Group certifica tions. His most recent shore assignment was to U.S. Joint Forces Command, Joint War fighting Center, responsible for enabling the creation of invalu able Joint Training solu tions that supported all Uniformed Services, Combatant Commands, Multi-National Partners, and U.S. Inter-agency and Non-governmental agen cies. Follin is slated to report as Executive Officer aboard the USS SIMPSON (FFG 56) in April of 2011 under the XO/CO fleet up program. Milliken is a native of Pasadena, Maryland and is a 1995 gradu ate of the United States Naval Academy where he earned a Bachelors of Science in Political Science. Upon graduation, he attended Surface Warfare Officer Division Officer Course in Newport, RI. His first ship was the USS Nicholas (FFG 47) in Norfolk, Va. While assigned to Nicholas he served as the Main Propulsion Assistant. His second Division Officer tour was USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in Newport News, VA where he served as the Electrical Officer. Following his Division Officer tours he trans ferred to the Naval Safety Center, Norfolk Va., where he was a member of the Safety Survey team and taught Operational Risk Management Fleet wide. His first Department Head tour was onboard USS Elrod (FFG 55) in Norfolk, Va. While assigned to Elrod he served as the Chief Engineer until his trans fer to USS Normandy (CG 60) in Norfolk, VA where he also served as Chief Engineer. After com pleting his Department Head Tours, Commander Milliken transferred to the Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, R.I. Following the NWC, he transferred to a Joint position inside the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), in Washington, D.C. He served 18 months as executive officer of USS Simpson (FFG 56) before assuming command in May 2010.From Page 1Simpson -Photo by Paige GnannVickie Franco, a descendent of Mescalero Apache and Hopi Native American, speaks at the NS Mayport Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month celebration at the Base Chapel on Nov. 15. THE MIRROR NS MAYPORT, Thursday, November 22, 2012 11

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enough time to enjoy the holidays with their friends and families and still have time to return any gift purchases. One gift that wont be returned is the NEX Gift Card. It can be used just like cash for most mer chandise and service purchases, make lay away payments or place special orders. NEX Gift Cards have no fees and dont expire. NEX Gift Cards can be purchased in varying amounts from $5 at any NEX by both exchange-authorized and non-authorized custom ers. Become a Facebook fan and follow the NEX on Twitter. NEX Bonus Bucks Are BackFrom NEXCOMBonus Bucks are back at NEX Mayport this holiday season. On Dec. 8, from 8 a.m. 1 p.m., custom ers will receive one $10 Bonus Bucks coupon for each $100 of merchan dise/service purchased, while coupon supplies last. A maximum of five Bonus Bucks will be issued to customers per single transaction. NEX customers have responded very posi tively to this promotion since we started it three years ago, so were bring ing it back again this year, said Mike Powers, Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) Director Retail Operations. We know there are many places our customers can shop dur ing the holiday season. NEX Bonus Bucks are our way of thanking custom ers for shopping at their NEX and to encourage them to come back for extra savings. NEX Bonus Bucks will be redeemable in any NEX from December 26, 2012 January 1, 2013, on all merchandise and services except uniforms, gasoline, tobacco, alco hol, NEX and third party Gift Cards and concession merchandise. Purchases made on the All Services Catalog or myNavy Exchange.com do not apply. One coupon will be redeemable on a transaction of $50 or more. A maximum of five coupons can be used on a transaction of $250 or more. NEX Bonus Bucks are available to customers shopping at NEX Norfolk, Oceana, Portsmouth and Little Creek, Va.; NEX Bethesda, Annapolis and Patuxent River, Md.; NEX Mitchel Field, N. Y.; NEX Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; NEX San Diego, Lemoore, North Island, Monterey and Port Hueneme, Calif.; NEX Great Lakes, Ill.; NEX Memphis, Tenn.; NEX Mayport, Orlando, Pensacola, Key West, Whiting Field and Jacksonville, Fla.; NEX Kings Bay, Ga.; NEX New London, Conn.; NEX Newport, R.I.; NEX Gulfport and Meridian, Miss.; NEX Corpus Christi, Texas; NEX New Orleans, La.; NEX Charleston, S. C.; NEX Fallon, Nev.; NEX Whidbey Island, Bremerton, Everett and Bangor, Wash.; and NEX Guam.Shoplifting Can Cost You A LotFrom NEXCOMThe prevention and detection of theft at NEX locations throughout the world is serious business. During 2011, NEX Loss Prevention/Safety asso ciates investigated and resolved 1,320 shoplifting cases with a total dollar amount of $258,032. Of those 1,320 cases, 31 percent were juveniles and 19 percent were active duty military. The 2011 National Retail Security Survey, conducted by the University of Florida in conjunction with Americas top retail chains indicates for a second year in a row, stealing by shoppers cost American retailers a staggering $10.94 billion. Our customers and associates continue to play a vital role in pre venting theft from our stores, said Tom Ruane, NEXCOMs Corporate Loss Prevention/Safety Manager. We encourage anyone to report suspi cions of theft activity to NEX management, loss prevention/safety personnel or for our associates, through the anonymous Alertline program. The top five depart ments for shoplifting at the NEX in 2011 were costume jewelry, mass cos metics, prestige cosmet ics, video games and fashion accessories. While the NEX con tinues to be proactive in apprehending shoplift ers, NEX Loss Prevention/ Safety associates work hard at preventing theft before it happens. NEXs worldwide use electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems for electronic and high value merchan dise as well as extensive closed circuit surveillance systems (CCTV) to try and deter as well as catch shoplifters. The CCTV systems, coupled with digital video recorders and remote viewing tech nology, gives the NEX the ability to see everything within the store and identify incidents of theft. If shoplifting is suspected, NEX Loss Prevention/ Safety associates turn all incidents over to base police and /or local law enforcement. In addi tion to possible disciplin ary action and criminal prosecution, the Federal Claims Collection Act allows NEXCOM to enact a flat administrative cost or Civil Recovery of $200 for each incident of theft. Shoplifting can account for about one-third of the total inventory shrink. Shrink is the retail indus try term for the difference between the recorded book inventory and the actual physical inventory counted at the end of the year. Shrink is generally attributed to shoplifting, associate theft, adminis trative errors or vendor fraud. Over the past nine years, NEXCOM has seen its inventory shrink below one percent to sales compared to the national average of approximately 1.42 percent to sales. Shoplifting from the NEX hurts everyone, said Ruane. People involved in shoplifting get caught, prosecuted and possibly banned from the NEX or end a military career. But the NEX and base lose out as well because 70 percent of our profits are given to Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) to support quality of life programs. In 2011, that contribution totaled over $43 million. If our profits decline, so do our contributions to MWR.Financial Planning To Survive The HolidaysNavy Personnel Command Public AffairsSailors should create a holiday spending plan now to avoid postseason financial hardship, said a Navy financial specialist, Nov. 15. Examine holiday priorities and figure out what is most important to you, said Stacy LivingstoneHoyte, financial counselor, Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC). Instead of spending your hardearned money on something just because its a holiday tradition; make sure its a tradition that is important to you and your family. Do not spend out of habit, obliga tion or guilt. Tracking expenses when pay ing for holiday purchases will help Sailors and families stay true to their priorities and objectives, said Livingstone-Hoyte. Determine your holiday spend ing limit by making a list of what you will spend on different categories or purchases. Be realistic and make sure that whatever you elect to spend will not exceed what you can afford, said Livingstone-Hoyte. A little research of market prices, retailer ads and deals around town can go a long way toward under standing how you can match your purchase dollars with items for sale and dont forget to clip, cut and stack coupons for the best results. Livingstone-Hoyte said Sailors should also consider alternative gift-giving options like making homemade gifts or cooking food, volunteering as a family to help neighbors, friends and relatives or making a coupon to give as a present that is redeemable for babysit ting, lawn care, etc. Financial matters that occur from overspending or bad budget ing, such as failure to pay bills, bad credit, bankruptcy and foreclosures can negatively impact a Sailors career, and affect mission readiness and the Navys ability to transfer or retain Sailors. Command financial specialists (CFSs) provide financial education and training, counseling, and information referral at the command level at no cost to Sailors and their families. FFSCs located worldwide provide financial education and counseling for Sailors and families as well. Sailors experiencing financial challenges should notify their chain of command and work with their CFS to development a budget and explore additional options such as military relief societies, eligibil ity for interest rate reductions and other relief. For more information about financial planning, budgeting or investing, contact the CFS, local FFSC or call the Navy Personnel Command customer service cen ter at 1-866-U-ASK-NPC or email CSCMailbox@navy.milNEX Rewards Students With A-OK ProgramFrom NEXCOMThe NEX wants to help its customers finance their childrens college education through its A-OK Student Reward Program. All qualified students will participate in a quarterly drawing for monetary awards of $2,500, $1,500, $1,000 or $500 for a total of $5,500 per quarter. The next drawing will be held at the end of November 2012. Any eligible full-time student that has a B-grade point average equivalent or better, as determined by their school system, may enter the drawing. Eligible students include dependent children of active duty military memb ers, reservists and mili tary retirees enrolled in first through 12th grade. Dependent children without an individual Dependent Identification Card must be accompa nied by their sponsor to submit their entry. Each student may enter only once each grading period and must re-enter with each qualifying report card. To enter the drawing, stop by any NEX with a current report card and have a NEX associate verify the minimum grade average. Then fill out an entry card and obtain an A-OK ID, which entitles the student to discount coupons for NEX prod ucts and services. The Navy Exchange Service Command (NEXCOM) has been offering students a chance to pay for college through its A-OK Student Reward Program since 1997. Since the program began, NEXCOM has awarded over $600,000 in Series EE U.S. savings bonds and monetary awards with the help of its generous ven dor partners. From Page 1NEX 12 THE MIRROR, NS MAYPORT, Thursday, November 22, 2012

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A native of Caguas, Puerto Rico, Lt. Cmdr. Joel Rodriguez, recently joinced the ship as exec utive officer. He gradu ated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1998 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering. He has served at sea in guided missile cruisers, a guided missile frigate and a mine warfare ship. As a Division Officer he assigned as Electrical Officer and Auxiliaries Officer in USS Port Royal (CG 73) from 1999 to 2001 and as Fire Control Officer in USS Kauffman (FFG 59) from 2001 through 2002. Following Department Head School in late 2005, he served as Engineer Officer in USS Guardian (MCM 5) in Sasebo, Japan, and USS Normandy (CG 60) in Norfolk, Virginia. At sea, he most recently served in the U.S. Seventh Fleet Staff in USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) from 2009 to 2011. From Page 1TaylorThe Asia-Pacific region has been a longtime focus for the Navy, the admiral said, so it makes sense that the U.S. defense strategy would include a rebalance toward the region. Part of the rebalance includes Spains recent agreement to allow four Aegis missileequipped Arleigh Burkeclass ships to home-port in Rota, effectively freeing up six ships to deploy elsewhere, Greenert said. In addition, more ships will be based on the West Coast. By 2020, 60 per cent of the Navys ships will be based on the West Coast or elsewhere in the Pacific, he said. To send one ship for ward, Greenert said, requires four other ships: one in the region, one that has just returned, one that is preparing to deploy and one that is in main tenance. It makes better economic sense to keep ships home-ported in those regions, he said. About a third of the deployed ships are in the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf, and about 18 are in the Mediterranean Sea, the admiral said. That arrangement helps to ensure access to mari time crossroads such as the Suez Canal and the straits of Hormuz, Malacca and Gibraltar, he said. We have to have access to those places. Thats where the lifeblood of our world economy travels through, he said. It can take several days, sometimes two or three weeks, to reach these places from the U.S., he noted, underscoring the importance of operating from forward locations.From Page 1Deploy Spouse Honored With Yellow Rose For VolunteeringFrom USS TaylorCynthia Hill, a native of Midland Texas, was commissioned a Yellow Rose of Texas, under the laws of the State of Texas, for her longstanding volunteer services to military members, past and present, from Texas, Florida, other states, and out of country U.S. and foreign individuals in need. Cynthia Hill was presented the award on behalf of the Texas Governor Rick Perry by Lt. Cmdr. Joel Rodriguez, Taylors executive officer, Nov. 15, during a change of command ceremony for her husband. Cmdr. Jeremy Hill, Taylor commanding officer, was relieved on Nov. 15 by Cmdr. Dennis Volpe. Since August 2009, when she moved to Florida with her husband, Mrs. Hill has been volunteer ing with the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society, USO, Taylor Family Readiness Group and other volunteer activities. She was recognized for her volunteer services in support of our Nations military service members and those in need. She is a very special lady and an invaluable asset, said Bill Kennedy, Director of Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. She is a volunteer that leads and inspire others and makes the organization tick, helping Sailors, Marines, retirees, and family members during difficult times when they need support the most. The Yellow Rose of Texas award is named for Emily Morgan, a 20-year-old slave who was instru mental in the battle to win Texas independence, as she gave General Sam Houstons troops Santa Annas location. It is the highest state award for a woman. THE MIRROR NS MAYPORT, Thursday, November 22, 2012 13

THE MIRROR NS MAYPORT, Thursday, November 22, 2012 17 Mission NutritionMWR Fitness Specialists Keep Sailors On Course Commander, Navy Installations Command Public AffairsWith fitness failure dis charges up 40 percent and the Navy continuing to increase its focus on physical readiness, it is more important than ever for a Sailor to ensure they are maintaining their physical condition through a life style of fitness and nutri tion. The times of Sailors being able to get by passing the physical readi ness test (PRT) and get ting a waiver for the body composition assessment (BCA) are long gone. Also long gone are the visu als of a gaggle of chubby Sailors out running along the waterfront in what ever clothes they threw on that morning, sweat ing heavily and breath ing even more heavily, as they finish their manda tory mile and a half for the second time that year. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus has made physical fitness one of the key components of his 21st Century Sailor and Marine initiative. There is a laser-sharp focus on current PRT regulations, frequency and type of command fit ness sessions, and Navy resources available to provide Sailors with the information they need to maintain peak physical readiness both at sea and ashore. This information is provided through two invaluable tools offered by Commander, Navy Installations Commands (CNIC) Navy Fitness Program. Both the Mission Nutrition course and the Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling Series (NOFFS) offer Sailors information in a class room setting, as well as an individually tailored pro gram to put that knowl edge to use in their daily lives. In this case, knowledge is power. By fueling properly, Sailors will increase their fitness capabilities and will be far more like ly to reach their overall physical readiness goals. Mission Nutrition is a standardized, sciencebased nutrition educa tion workshop designed to educate Sailors, family members and retirees on nutrition topics that affect them including obesity, the impact of sedentary lifestyles, weight gain prevention and weight loss, eating for optimal health and performance, mind less and emotional eating, fad diets, supplements, eating on the go, perfor mance nutrition, meal planning, grocery shop ping strategies and food preparation safety. Being a former Sailor, I feel this course provides relevant and applicable information for the Sailor and their families to use in a variety of situations. Whether Sailors are looking to improve their per formance, overall health, trying to lose weight, become a better food shopper, or simply trying to be more educated in nutrition, this course has it covered, said Nicholas Aures, CNIC Navy fitness performance enhance ment dietitian. CNIC offers Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) fitness special ists and culinary special ists a four-day Facilitator Course that provides facilitators with increased knowledge and skills to teach their installation population. The facilita tors course is offered twice a year by Aures, a registered dietitian and certified strength and conditioning specialist who joined Navy Fitness as the performance enhancement dietitian in June 2012. Mission Nutrition is offered to Sailors, family members and retirees through certified mis sion nutrition instructors at Navy fitness centers worldwide. Currently, there are more than 100 certified instructors at 55 different bases within the 12 Navy Regions. I am writing to com mend you and your staff for the Mission Nutrition Program, wrote Sharon Eugene, the wife of a retired service member. I found the information provided in the classes informative and relevant for anyone looking to improve their eating habits and also make health ier food choices. I do believe when programs like this one is provided to Navy personnel and their families, the benefits will be toward Navy Fitness. Obesity and Health According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, research has shown that those that are considered overweight or obese (body mass index of 25 or higher) are at a greater risk for the following: coronary heart dis ease, liver and gallbladder disease, Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea and respira tory problems, cancers, hypertension, dyslipid emia stroke, osteoarthri tis, and gynecological problems. The 2008 DoD Survey of Health Related Behaviors Among Active Duty Military Personnel states that 60 percent of all active duty service members are classified as overweight. It goes further to state that 62 percent of all Sailors are considered overweight, with 14 per cent of those considered obese. Mission Nutrition is working to reverse the growing trend of over weight and obese Sailors through education and awareness. The instructors for the February sessions, Emily Deason, fitness coordi nator; Angela Rudd, fit ness specialist; and Mia Kuhn, fitness specialist, made the sessions clear and easy to understand, said Eugene. They each brought a different per sonal spin to the classes that were well prepared and refreshing from their different perspectives. Emilys view of the medical benefits of good nutrition, Angelas sugges tions as a Navy wife and mother of the importance of shopping habits and meal planning, and Mias input of being in control of our choices. I felt they wanted to arm me with the Mission Nutrition program for my well-being. Fad Diet and Exercise Programs Faced with the increased crackdown on physical readiness standards and a push to lose weight or be discharged from the military, many Sailors are looking for quick weight loss meth ods, many of which can be harmful or even fatal. Many fad diet pro grams dont provide the whole picture when it comes to nutritional information, and often times only focus on shaping a desirable body image for the short term with no emphasis on long term health, said Aures. Many for-profit fit ness companies, such as CrossFit, P90X, Insanity, Gym Jones and others, add scientifically unprov en nutrition programs to their offerings to seem ingly increase the value of their product. As a result, many Sailors and family members seek informa tion from companies who market potentially harm ful dietary supplements, fad diets, and other weight loss products. In contrast, Mission Nutrition gives Sailors the knowledge and tools to make their own decisions on a variety of nutrition topics, said Aures. It also concentrates on forming a number of healthy hab its that can be sustained throughout their lifetime. With so many programs charging fees for infor mation that is far too often inaccurate, Mission Nutrition provides an abundance of reliable resources for the Sailor to utilize free of charge. Benefits Realized In a three-month post course survey conduct ed on base attendees in September: 88 percent agreed or strongly agreed that the Mission Nutrition course helped them cre ate an effective plan for their personal weight and nutrition goals 96 percent would recommend the course to someone else 98 percent would recommend the instructor to someone else 92 percent rate the overall course experience as Excellent 65 percent report information learned in the course impacted their productivity at work 88 percent believe their attendance at Mission Nutrition has positively impacted the foods they eat 78 percent say their course attendance has positively affected the foods their family eats 80 percent have increased their physical activity since attending Mission Nutrition 94 percent report a better understanding of nutrition due to attending the course 78 percent have increased how often they eat meals prepared at home Also, the vast majority of course attendees report that they have increased their fruit and vegetable intake, reduced their sodium intake, paid more attention to preand post-exercise meals, reduced saturated and Trans fat consumption, monitored their hydra tion status more closely, prepared more meals and eaten more meals from home, adjusted their caloric needs to more appropriate levels, reduced their soft drink consumption, increased their physical activ ity, paid more attention to portion size and have become more aware of why they are eating. My knowledge of food choices, serving size, good carbohydrates, and the correct ratio of protein to carbs were sharpened from the classes, as well as many other interest ing topics that were dis cussed, said Eugene. I went in the sessions being a person who avoided carbohydrates and graduated a person knowing the right ones for me. The result for me is I have a more energized workout that keeps me on the road to fitness. Also, the NOFFS virtual meal builder will be fur ther enhanced so users will be able to populate their daily meal plan with their favorite high octane foods via the site or app and the healthy recipe section will continue to grow. Quite frankly, the potential is endless and we have no intention to allow this website to become stagnant, said Sexauer. With the plethora of information avail able to Sailors and their families, the potential to meet nutrition and fit ness goals is also endless. CNIC encourages all ser vice members to use the resources available to ensure they are working toward a lifestyle of fit ness which will improve their overall health and increase personal readi ness, in turn improving the Navys readiness as a Global Force for Good. All Mission Nutrition course attend ees receive a certificate and a work book to continue to work on their nutrition goals long after completing the course. They also receive infor mation on many resources, which anyone can access, including the Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling System, which includes a Virtual Trainer and Virtual Meal Builder. NOFFS is available at www.navyfit ness.org/noffs. Other useful resources include: Performance nutrition articles: http://www.navyfitness.org/nutri tion/All-Navy_Sports_Nutrition Healthy Recipes: http://www.navy fitness.org/nutrition/healthy_recipes SHAPE (for those over 40): http:// www.navyfitness.org/shape/newslet ters Navy Fitness Programs: www.navy fitness.org Local Navy Fitness Centers for a variety of fitness and nutrition course offerings The website provides information in each of our program areas, a one-stop shop, if you will, said Lisa Sexauer, CNIC Fitnesss, Sports and Deployed Forces Support program manager. Upcoming changes to the website include adding a nutrition tip of the week which will be broadcast via the Navy Fitness Facebook page as well, located at http://www.facebook.com/ pages/Navy-Fitness/368681091650. Helpful Resources Surfside Fitness class schedule is as follows: Monday 11:30 a.m., Pilates 4:30 p.m., Cut N Core 5:30 p.m., Flex N Stretch Tuesday 10:30 a.m., Intro to Yoga 11:30 a.m., Zumba 4:30 p.m., Yoga Wednesday 6:30 a.m., NOFFS Nutrition & Fitness Series NOFFS (Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling Series) is a pro gram designed to improve the operational perfor mance of Navy personnel through fitness and nutrition. Emphasis is placed on injury prevention via tissue management and refueling. This is a 4-week program for CFLs and ACFLs only. 11:30 a.m., Strength Training For Women 12:30 p.m., Flex N Stretch 4:30 p.m., Zumba Thursday 9:30 a.m., Strength Fundamentals Learn basic strength training with focus on form and proper tech nique utilizing dumbbells, barbells, resistance bands and medicine balls. The results will be an overall increase in energy and endurance, a more effi cient metabolism, health ier posture and much more! 11:30 a.m., Zumba 4:30 p.m., Kickboxing Friday 9:30 a.m., Zumba Basics 11:30 a.m., Yoga Mayport Sandbox The Mayport Sandbox is a high intensity (H.I.T.) outdoor workout area located oceanfront behind Surfside Fitness Center. The area includes a Pull -up Bar and Ring rig, Kettlebells, Sleds, Tires, TRX Suspension Frame, Slam Balls, Ropes, Ab Mats, Sledge Hammers, Farmers Walk, Olympic Lift area and equipment, Monkey Bars, Low Crawl, Sprint and Drag area. H.I.T. training involves functional pro gramming that will take your workout to the next level. Both open Sandbox hours and instructor led classes are provided by Olympic Lift and Crossfit certified Mayport Fitness Team members. Monday 7 a.m., HIT 7 a.m., Command Bootcamp 8 a.m., Intro to HIT 9:30 a.m., Bootcamp Basics 11 a.m., HIT Noon, HIT Skill Review Tuesday 7 a.m., Command Bootcamp 11 a.m., HIT Noon, Intro to HIT 2 p.m., HIT 3 p.m., Intro to HIT Wednesday 7 a.m., HIT 8 a.m., HIT Skill Review 9:30 a.m., Intro to TRX Suspension Training Learn how to train using the unique and innovative TRX Suspension Training System. This class is reserved for those entire ly new to TRX training. This class will result in increased strength, coor dination, balance and CORE-power. Class size limited to 25. Class is held at Mayport Sandbox behind Surfside Fitness Center. 11 a.m., HIT Noon, Intro to HIT Thursday 7 a.m., Sunrise Yoga 7 a.m., HIT 8 a.m., Intro to HIT 11:30 a.m., HIT for Women 3 p.m., HIT 4 p.m., Intro to HIT Friday 7 a.m., HIT 7 a.m., TRX Suspension Training 8 a.m., HIT Skill Review 11 a.m., HIT Noon, Intro to HIT The new Gymnasium class schedule is as fol lows: Monday 11:30 a.m., Spinning 5:45 p.m., Kids Clinic This clinic is designed for children ages 10-14. It teaches how to safely use fitness equipment and provides general information on exercise and fit ness workouts. Held at Surfside Fitness Center. After completion of the course, participants will be issued a card which will allow them to use the facility when accompa nied by a parent or legal guardian. Tuesday 11:30 a.m., Steel Anchor This incentive program develops muscu lar strength and power needed to attain the Steel Anchor Award. Structured and progres sive training targets muscles to increase your bench press, squat, and dead-lift. Participants will utilize multiple piec es of free weight, selec torized and plate loaded strength equipment in the gym. Steel Anchor award includes a shirt and plaque recognition. 5:30 p.m., Spinning Wednesday 11:30 a.m., Rowing 101 4:30 p.m., Weight Training For Warfighters Thursday 11:30 a.m., Steel Anchor 5:30 p.m., Spinning Friday 7:30 a.m., Spinning 11:30 a.m., Rowing 101 MWR